New Facebook Means End of Humanity

Okay. So maybe that's an exaduration - but just barely. At least if you read half the world's Facebook Status' on the site. Over the last week or two and even before that I've seen people complaining about the new look and style of Facebook. Up until today, you had the choice of keeping the old layout but today I awoke to find I'd been switched over.

Don't get me wrong. I don't care for the new layout. I'm not sure why, really. Maybe it's just because it's different and takes some getting used to. Facebook has changed before and I remember not being a fan of the change over, then, either so maybe I'm just a creature of habbit.

I definitely don't like the new layout of individual profiles. Shit's all mashed together now. Before it was very organized. You had your News Feed, Your Wall, Your person info crap and then whatever 4,000 applications you decided to clutter your page and slow down load times for your friends with. Now it's just one big clump of unorganized crap.

But that's it. That's the extent of my annoyance. It's just another webiste I visit on my daily internet rounds and if it bothers me that much - I'll simply sop using it. It seems to be the end of some people's worlds. Sure, I use it as a way to keep in touch with some friends but should I get that fed up with Facebook I still have e-mail, MSN, phone, text, homing pigeon or, heaven forbid, an ACTUAL conversation.

I'll let you in on the part I don't understand. And maybe I'm just missing something. But I've heard many, MANY people say that this new Facebook is a stalker's paradise. I don't see it. I mean Facebook and social networking sites already have that risk built in to them but I don't think I totally understand why this newer version makes it easier for someone to stalk me. Basically, all the same information you had in the old Facebook is still on this one, simply in a re-arranged template. If anyone could cxplain to me why I'm hearing this so much i'd really appreciate it. I don't say that to demean or dismiss anyone's arguement or dislike for the new look - I just literally and honestly don't see that particularly side of it. And believe me, I wouldn't mind having another reason to not like Facebook. It's wasting a lot of my time.

Back to Facebook I go.

Come On Kids, We're Going On A Trip! Well...You Are Anyway.

Guess what. The Nebraska safe haven law that Carinwrote abouta couple weeks back works exactly like we thought it would.

Over the weekend, 2 boys aged 15 and 11 respectively were dropped off by parents and guardians at 2 different hospitals.In the case of the 15-year-old, his caretaker couldn't deal with his behaviour anymore. It's unclear what the 11-year-old did.

Arnie Stuthman, a Senate member from Platte Center as well as a sponsor of the bill, said that the law wasn't intended to be used in such a way, but in order to get it passed he had to agree, essentially, to write utter stupidity into it. According to him, the bill's original intent was to allow for infants 72 hours old or less to be dropped off in a safe place. But as a compromise with people who sadly aren't named and shamed in the linked article, he expanded the definition of child to include all minor children, and now here we are.

Isn't it great when politicians stand up for common sense and do their jobs properly? No, I wouldn't know either, that was a rhetorical question.

Just Another Manic Monday

Hello Friends;

So I'm back from Ottawa, only to be informed upon my return home that I had a funeral to attend. Welcome home, Matt. It's not like I was super close to the person... but deaths are rarely something that make you feel all warm and fuzzy.

Today I am back on the hunt for a new, better employment situation. I did some hunting up in Ottawa but it was a fruitless endeavour. I absolutely hate companies that post job ads that overhype what the actually want you to do. The best example of this is the ad I say for a Patrolium Distribution Agent. Nothing against people who pump gas.... but come on! Now this is not the industry I'm looking at but when you are told you're interviewing for "Sucn and Such" Advertising Inc as a Concept Team Agent and you get there and they tell you you'll be phoning people at their homes to find out what they enjoy in advertising it's pretty frustrating. Don't waste my time. if you're looking for a telephone surveyer - put that in the ad because anyone who is willing to do that is not applying for something that doesn't say that's the job in it and anyone who applies for the title you actually did put on it is not hanging around to do telemarketing for you. You're wasting everyone's time.

The Jays went out and won 11 out of 12 games to make this weekend's 4 game series in Boston meaningful. They then proceeded to shit the bed and lose 3 out of 4 of those games. Nice job lads.

As I mentioned some time ago I kind dug the song Paper Planes by M.I.A. because, if nothing else, it had a different sound to it than anything else currently available. So while staying with my friend last week he downloaded the entire album for me because.... well because that's what he does. Download things. I'm just getting around to listening to it right now. It's pretty much garbage. I would still be happy to give a thumbs up for sounding different but that's about it. It's pretty out there. At times it sounds almost native or something. At one point in a track they rap, I believe, about Mozambeek and since nothing else rhymes with that - every sentence ends in Mozambeek. Right....

That's all for now, I guess. Steve sucks. blah blah blah.

Where Have You Been All My Life?

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The UK Manages To Top Itself Again

If ever you find yourself wanting or needing to spend some time in Shropshire's Telford Town Park, be sure to bring at least one child with you. Failure to do so will, by order of the council that manages the place,result in you getting a stern questioning from park wardens because surely anybody in a public park without kids with them is obviously a pedophile regardless of whether or not heoffered to tickle your kids for you.

The policy came to light after two environmental campaigners dressed as penguins were thrown out of the park last month when caught handing out leaflets on climate change.

Telford and Wrekin Council said Rachel Whittaker and Neil Donaldson were ejected because they had not undergone Criminal Records Bureau checks or risk assessments before entering the park - a requirement under the Child Protection Act.

David Ottley, recreation manager at the Tory-run council, said in a letter to a member of the public over that issue: 'Our town park staff approach adults that are not associated with any children in the park and request the reason for them being there.

'In particular, this applies to those areas where children or more vulnerable groups gather.'

At this rate, the story about people being stopped for using streets without riding in at least one car can't be far behind.

Stop It!

I've only readone storyabout strategic voting this election season, and I've already had enough of them.

I'm positive we've covered this before, but apparently it needs repeating, so here goes.

There is no such thing as a wasted vote. Every vote, unless you find yourself voting in a rigged election like the ones found in dictatorships and the United States, counts. The only way you can waste your vote is to spoil your ballot. You mark your X, you stuff it in the box, it gets counted. No need for a whole lot of strategy there. In fact, the only planning required is how you're going to get to the polling station and who's getting the magic X when you do, which brings me to the second important point. Since every vote counts, what exactly is the point of not voting for somebody because they're not gonna win? Listen kids, if you don't vote for 'em, they ain't gonna win. If you like the Green Party and hate the Conservatives, just vote for the goddamn Green Party, would ya? They aren't electing an MP based on your vote for a Liberal candidate. A vote for the Greens whether or not they have a snowballs chance of actually winning anything is still a non-vote for Harper and company. Based on your voting for people who aren't him, he's one vote further away from majority rule, just like he would be if you voted for somebody who isn't him but still isn't who you truly want. By voting with your head and your heart, you're at the very least playing spoiler, and at most you'll be the riding that elects somebody that wasn't supposed to get elected.

Your vote is a statement about what matters to you, not what matters to somebody else in another part of the country. No amount of networking and studying the polls will ever change that. So please, I'm begging you, spend the time you're currently wasting on this non-science strategy crap on following the issues and convincing people that your choice is the right choice. If you want change, that's the only way you're ever going to get it.

Today's Best Headlines Ever

Use of gravel pit near 2 schools for target practice draws fireNice to see that somebody down at the CBC has a sense of humour. That *was* intentional, right?

Ike batters CubaI guess hisprevious battering accomplishmentsjust wern't enough anymore.

T Is For Tickle, That's Good Enough For Me...To Be Thrown Out Of The Park

Lawyer Charles R. Douglas was ordered by a judge last week to stay away from a local park. Seems that the 58-year-old attorney has a thing for walking up to people he doesn't know and asking if they would mind him performing his tickle monster routine on their children. Not surprisingly, a few people minded and quickly set about reporting him to the local constabulary.

"Now Steve" I hear you say, "where exactly is this deviant plying his trade? I need to know in case he has no respect for the law. he is a lawyer after all." A fair question and a valid point dear reader, and the answer to your question is more the reason why you're finding this story on the Vomit Comet than is the silliness of his explanation. The tickle monster, who had to on some level have wanted to get caught, had been roaming aroundMiner Park.One letter off I know, but still, you can't deny how great that is.

Apologies, Elections, Wrestling And A Crazy Cake Lady. What More Could You Ask For?

Sorry it's been such a slow week around here. Between Carin getting ready to go on her trip, me having some truly horrible nights of sleep and I think fighting off some kind of cold, and Matt being away at a gay bathhouse convention, the poor Comet has kind of been getting neglected. I've been keeping up with the events of the world, but I haven't had the time/energy/inspiration to write much of anything down until now.

I'm glad to see that Elizabeth May is going to be involved in the leader's debate. the Greens are a truly national party unlike the Bloc Québécois and even the Reform Party in the beginning, and it's absurd that she had to threaten legal action to finally get invited. I also find it ridiculous that the Conservatives, the NDP and even the Bloc who shouldn't be there to begin with threatened to boycott the event if she was included. If the networks had any backbone they'd have told all of them to put their money where their mouths were and went ahead and let Elizabeth May make policy statements for a couple of hours. If push were to come to shove, there's no way that any of those tough talking blowhards would have passed up the chance to appear in front of millions of potential voters, and I guarantee you that none of them have the nerve to risk the PR disaster that would result from doing so for such a stupid reason. I've lost much of what little respect I had for everybody involved in this, and that includes the NDP who I'll probably wind up voting for this year. Actually, this, combined with the complete lack of decent party leaders, might be enough to get me to vote Green for the first time ever. Nice job, idiots.

On the wrestling front, if you didn't see Unforgiven and are considering buying a replay, don't bother. If you must see it, go download it for free and spend the $40 on a case of beer and some snakcs so you'll at least have something to enjoy. It was far from the worst show I've ever seen (that's why TNA exists), but it was nothing I'd ever need to watch again. Michaels and Jericho is the only thing that's remotely must see. I was curious to see how the Scramble matches would go, and while I didn't hate them, if that concept winds up being a one and done that's ok by me. Speaking of the Scrambles, thank God for Triple H. For a few minutes during the Smackdown match it looked like Brian Kendrick might be looking to have a good night and possibly even get himself over a little bit. Good thing he was there to squash him repeatedly to make sure that didn't happen. I mean lord knows we don't need somebody trying to make himself a star. Think of the trouble that would cause and the ratings points that would be lost if people were forced to watch believeable characters. Triple H is truly a hero, a man above all men for preventing our collective suffering with his selfless actions.

Not much else to say right now, but I'll hopefully try to get things back to some kind of normal here today. In the meantime, here's another bakery story from Steve's little brother.

It's too bad I missed this.

On Saturday after I left the bakery, some lady came in with a cake she had bought the week before. She said that we had spelled congratulations wrong, which is highly possible. The boss said he could fix it for her if she wanted, but she wanted her money back...pretty badly. She started screaming about how she had ordered it in advance and it should be perfect. Then she started in on how it wasn't pretty enough to be a wedding cake. Umm, if you wanted a wedding cake, you should've ordered one. What does she expect for $20? Obviously not what she got. You would think that a 2.5 foot square cake decorated with all different colours and some hideous candy flours would be enough, but it wasn't. And as she stood there, yelling louder and louder and still coming up with faults with the cake, customers were leaving the store, just dropping what they were going to buy and heading for the hills...who can blame them? Then, to top it off, she started yelling at some random guy who was there to pick up something he had ordered. Apparently she thought he was the boss. Maybe he was, but not of that bakery. We'll probably never see him again either.

Finally, after asking her to leave about 10 times, the boss called the police, and she was escorted out of there by 3 of Brantford's finest. No word on whether the wedding was a success, but, she did keep the defective cake.

Thumbs Up!

Here's one more quick post before I pack as fast as I can so I can get some sleep.

Want to play a cool halloween trick? Just buy one of these, stick it in your computer, and watch your friends gasp. They'll never want a thumb drive again.

GDB Reunion, Here I Come!

Well, believe it or not, I'm almost ready to go to the GDB reunion. Tomorrow morning at 5:05, Red Car service, a big old van that drives people to the airport, will pick me up. Trixie's going to be some pissed. Because we're flying for so long with no chance to relieve, I kinda have to not feed her breakfast. I hate doing that, but well, I don't want her to explode on the flight.

Heeheehee! I'm excited and nervous! this is the first trip I've booked all on my own. Sure, there'll be help at each end, but well, there's noone going with me, so if something goes wrong, it's all up to me to get it right.

Man, GDB does a good job of taking care of us. They sent us a description of the layout of the hotel! How cool is that? I've already been told where the designated dog-relieving area is at Portland Airport, they even gave us the number of an emergency vet clinic in Portland if the unthinkable happened. I'll definitely have stories, and I'm hoping to get pictures so I can send them to Trixie's raisers and hopefully put some good ones up here. I was so hoping that Trixie's raisers could come to the reunion, but her daughter had a baby, so hmmm I think that takes precedence.

So, you can guess I won't be posting from tomorrow until...probably Tuesday, since I'm flying back here Sunday night and will be arriving bright and early Monday morning. Oh god the bed will feel good. Have a good weekend everyone.

A Lesson In Communication

Here's something that not everyone seems to know about communication. It goes two ways. While one person talks, the other person is supposed to be receiving those strings of words and processing them inside their brain so that they can form a response that matches what they just heard. The listener isn't supposed to just stand there and wait for a break in the auditory barrage to say something completely unrelated to the message received, or act as if the message wasn't received at all. If both people speak clearly and listen properly when it is their time to do so, it works. But when one person decides not to hold up their end of the bargain, it can become quite frustrating. I'm noticing a lot of people lately who want to talk and not listen.

Just yesterday, while Trixie was out doing her duty, A mailman came to the big mailbox by the road to put something in it. Of course, since he's the mailman, Trixie decided to go see him. I didn't mind, since he was talking to her and she was off harness. He started talking to her. Then I heard the dreaded words, "Want a cookie?"

Since she's a lab, and labs love food, I don't want her running to other people to get food from them. So, I said no, I don't want her to have a cookie because I don't want her soliciting food from others. I was just about to say, "if you want to give her a cookie, give it to me and I'll give it to her. but he said, "Oh it's just a diabetic cookie. Sit?" he had his hand out towards her. I pulled her back and said no! Then he filled the mailbox with the biggest pout on. I don't have to see to notice it.

I beg your fucking pardon! I said no! And, how does he know that a diabetic cookie wouldn't do something to her? I mean, I just read about xylitol in sugar-free gum being dangerous to dogs. How do I know what's in that cookie? But more importantly, I said no! If I said no, it means no cookie. It doesn't mean continue with your plans. It means no! Even 2-year-olds understand "no".

I had this happen at the vet's office too. WhenI brought Trixie in for her constipation issues, they took her over to the scale and weighed her. They asked me, "Can she have a treat?" I said, uh, she's here for digestive problems. I don't think that's agood idea. too late! I heard the old familiar crunch crunch crunch. I was so mad that all words ceased to exit the mouth. I just stared at them in disbelief. If it's not a question, don't ask it as such. My good god.

then, I get people who ask me a question that requires a complicated answer like "How long does it take to train a dog like that?" I start to go through how training starts with socialization and then they get formal training. But before I'm done, they're commenting on some passing squirrle. Ok, why bother talking? If you weren't truly interested, don't ask the question. It appears you have less ability to focus than my dog does. Remind me never to let you guide me anywhere. You might smack my nose into a pole while tracking the flight of a sparrow.

Oh, and to the asshole who decided that because he didn't get permission to pet Trixie while we were stopped and thought he'd sneak a pet while we were moving, not gonna work. I told him once, twice, not to pet the dog, and when he did it while we were moving, I stepped on him because he got right in our path. I asked him why that happened, and he sheepishly told me that he tried to pet the dog. I told him next time he tries that, I will stomp on his foot so hard, he'll think twice about trying that. I told him that I nicely asked him not to pet the dog, and explained the reason for my request, so since reason doesn't seem to work, maybe a stomped toe will be a more memorable experience. He seemed to take me seriously. Good!

People people people! Am I really that hard to understand? is it really that difficult to listen to a sentence, process it, and respond appropriately? It seems to be.

Help With Suicide-Prevention By Commiting Legal Suicide

Wow. This is nuts. I know people are sue-happy, but now the waivers are swinging over to the other extreme.

I wanted to go out and participate in The Walk, an event that's supposed to raise money for the local Distress Centre, and other suicide-prevention initiatives. I guess, since walking involves physical exercise as well as crossing roads, somebody might over-exert themselves or step into the path of a moving car. Enter the waiver, release, whatever you call it. Most of this thing is ridiculous but understandable. But there are a couple of sections that make one raise their eyebrows for different reasons. Here's the thing. I'll comment where I feel I need to.

I wish to participate in The Walk. I understand that in participating in this event, I will be using public streets and facilities where many hazards exist and I am aware of and appreciate the risks that may result. I am also aware that accidents may occur during these events and that I may be seriously injured.

How sad. Does that mean that every day I walk down the street, I should sign a waiver? Gees!

In consideration for being permitted by The Walk to participate in this event, I agree to assume all risks and to release and hold harmless The Walk, Community Torchlight, United Way as well as their designated beneficiaries, sponsors, officials, including but not limited to the City of Guelph and affiliated organizations (and all their respective directors, officers, agents, employees and members), who, through negligence, carelessness or any other cause might be liable to me. I intend by this Waiver and Release to release, in advance, and to waive my rights and to discharge all of the persons and entities mentioned above, from all claims for damages for death, personal injury or property damage that I may have, or which may hereafter accrue to me, as a result of my participation in this event, even though that liability may arise from negligence or carelessness on the part of the persons or entities being released, from dangerous or defective property or equipment owned, maintained or controlled by them or because of their possible liability without fault.

Woe woe woe! So you're saying you could forget to close off roads that we walk down, we could get smoked, and even then, we couldn't sue? It's not like I want to sue, but this seems like overkill!

I understand and agree that this Waiver and Release is binding on my heirs, assigns and legal representatives. I am physically capable of completing this event. If I am aware of or under treatment for any physical infirmity, ailment or illness, my medical care provider knows of and has approved my participation in this event. I acknowledge that I, and I alone, am solely responsible for my personal health and safety, and the personal property I bring with me. I will read the event description and rules for participation in the event and I will abide by all the rules and regulations established by the event organizers and personnel as well as the local vehicle code.
I understand that if I am under the age of 18 years or younger at the time of the event in order to participate I must have a parent/guardian's consent. If I am registering a minor, I hereby represent that I am the parent or legal guardian of the minor and that I am waiving my rights and the rights of the minor regarding the matters described here.
I understand that all donations processed by The Walk are non-refundable, even if I do not participate in the event.
I have carefully read this Waiver and Release and fully understand its contents. I am aware that this is a release of liability and a contract between myself and the persons and entities mentioned above and I approve of it of my own free will,

That last part seems pretty ordinary. It's just the second section that seems a little much. I even called the organizers and asked them why they went to such great lengths to protect themselves from harm. Were they planning to be neglegent and careless? She just kept saying that it wouldn't hold up in court anyway. Then why put it in there? She couldn't give me a good answer. She just kept saying that most people just sign it and don't read it. Well, I'm not most people. One thing I remember from Law Classs is to always read what you're signing. If that means asking someone to read it to me, then that's what I do.

I hate this. I want to help out, and the great majority of me says "It's a friggin walk. Nothing's going to happen." But there's a small part of me that says "Would you honestly sign that?" I'll probably end up going, because, it's a friggin walk! Plus, I know a few of the organizers, and they're not scumbags or anything.

So here's my question. They said that waiver was standard issue. Has anyone else seen one so broad in pretty much taking away anyone's right to do anything? Why would they put that clause in there if it doesn't hold up in court? I'm not trying to say I'm sue-happy or something, that thing just seems way over the top. but maybe I just haven't seen enough releases of liability.

Gee, It Sure Is A Good Thing We Spent The Marketing Budget On That Naming Committee

Order Nontobacco Beaver Chew Online! Quit Smoking and Quit Chewing Tobacco

There's nothing I could possibly need to add to this.

Actually wait, yes there is. Check out the shipping rates on this crap. The cheapest option is nearly 3 times the price of the product. Insane.

It's As Plain As The Tattoo On Your Head

Hmm. Here's a message to the ad agents at NZ Airline. If you tattoo a message on the bald heads of 50 people waiting in line about speedy check-in processes, and those bald heads aren't moving very fast, um, won't your plan backfire? And if the bald heads do move fast, who's going to have time to read their heads? So, isn't it doomed anyway?

Lots Of dollars, No Sense

Ok, everybody, sit down and have a lesson on what not to do with your money. Don't hand it to some stranger as a sign of trust, don't give it to some men who say they're security guards at a supposedly broken night deposit slot, and for the love of pete, don't put $8000 in a sock to be blessed by a spiritual healer! Why did the money need to be blessed anyway? You're just going to spend it eventually, right? Then, when you realize that the supposed healer switched the socks and you only have $50, don't make up a story about being robbed. Just face the music, ok?

Everybody got the lesson? Good.

Looks Like You Ended Up Where You Belong

These three little brats, or at least one of them, got the best punishment ever.

they decided to steal from a tip box. It was put there so that a local charity could maintain portable toilets around a park. As they ran away, the fastest of them fell into a makeshift latrine dug by some homeless folks. Giving homeless people a place to do their duty so they don't have to dig these latrines is one of the reasons for the portable toilets, kids. Ha ha ha ha ha! Sometimes life serves up the best justice ever.

Save Holly's Thinking

I hate doing this because I should have enough brains to leave a comment under this post on Holly's blog on my own. but every time I try, my brain fizzles out, and I can't do it. I just shut down, kinda like my old dead computer did.

I like Holly, but this post is so full of holes and illogical statements that it sends the neurons into a tail-spin. Somebody set her straight on a few things, especially the part about women being content with being subordinates to men, or the part about Iraq being connected to Bin Laden. I don't know about all the numbers she has up there, but I definitely see some serious flaws in this argument. I mean, everyone's entitled to their opinion about who is best to run the country, but this is just, well, way too simplistic a view.

Oy yoy yoy. who is brainwashed?

As an aside, This is the same Holly who's trying to get an ABI. I guess she's abandoning her blogger blog and wants a new site.

that's a lot of bees!

Yikes. These bees aren't the kind you'd want to wear in a bee beard. What I can't figure out is if they came out of the walls of a house, how'd they get outside? I never thought I'd say these words, but the poor pit bull.

Running Out Of Luck

Hopefully someone can help me out.

A while back, we mentioned our friend J. Well, now he's in Beijing, and he ran last night...er... I think that's when he ran. He gave us this site to go watch him. The site works great if you want to watch the current event, but I can't seem to find an archive. Is there one? Or is it somewhere else? I'd like to see his brother Jon too, but he ran at 5:00 this morning our time, I think, so I certainly wasn't up watching then.

Or, am I screwed? I'm betting I'm screwed. Damn it! I was hoping to see them!