Out of Title Ideas

Today, I am at a complete loss of what to title should be labelled. Should I just call it busy, and how we are now into our busiest season at work...(one of the few depts at the Company where I work that is). Hence, I have had almost no time to update my Blog (less alone do my Christmas Shopping). This year, I am afraid my family is going to be receiving their presents after Christmas (how truly horrible am I to ship off my gifts) in time for them to have them the week after Christmas. I can assure myself and my family, that next year I will be shopping throughout the year and will have my shopping complete before the first of December.

Now my second issue is with my ISP. I have not been able to use their software for approximately 5 days now. A few weeks ago, I upgraded to their new Security release and since then - when I attempt to VPN/Remote Desktop into my work desktop, it shuts me down and kicks me completely out. It appears as if something recognises that the port is open (and it takes it approximately 30-90 seconds to recognise this) and I get tossed off not only remote desktop, but VPN and my ISP as well. I was going to work on the issue myself, but quite frankly I have not had the time. Therefore, after confirming that this was not work related I contacted my ISP. God help me, I should have worked on resolving the issue myself. I have now gone from VPN issues to not being able to use/upgrade/reinstall my ISP software (what was I thinking contacted their Tech Support). I have spoken with 3 Tech Support Helpdesks in all different parts of the world (for a total of 7.5 hrs), and I am now even worse off than the original issue. The worse is that I pay $48 and change (per month) for this service (on top of the rest) and I cannot use it. Today, I am writing to my ISP (well, E-mailing them) and I am not fully paying for this service until it is resolved.
The Tech Support Analysts are either reading scripts or manuals (not sure that they are even computer techs), and they have no thoughts as to what the root cause is. The last one told me that because I know what I am doing with Computers, that is was up to me to fix it. After I confirmed with them, that I heard correctly I was too stunned to protest. I am now using a direct connection to my ISP in order to be on the Net, and my VPN/Remote Desktop works. My connection is definitely slower, but my frustration grows by the day.

And that is my rant of the day. :(

The Last of My Blog Tag Posts

Blog Tag Post Final #4
The last of my Blog Tags

Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:

1. Share my good fortune with family and friends


2. Purchase land right on the Ocean in NS and build my log home. Design it myself, and have it so that when I wake up in the morning, the first thing I see is the ocean.


3. Give money to Animal Shelters/Humane Societies and the Canadian Cancer Society


4. Go back to school full time


5. Invest the rest because what does a Million dollars buy you these days?

Five things you like doing (no particular order):

1. Going for long walks in the snow


2. Going to the Theatre


3. Going for long walks along the beach


4. Reading


5. Museums

Five things you would never wear again:

1. Legwarmers – Had enough the first go round


2. Bubble Skirts – What we were thinking?


3. A Papa Smurf Costume in a Christmas Parade – have you even been chased by a group of kids all wanting to meet you (Intimidating)


4. Perms – I look like a poodle


5. Light Jackets in the Winter – Now I just want to be warm

Five favorite toys (no particular order):

1. Trivia Games


2. Stuffed Animals


3. “Clue” the Board Game


4. Card Games


5. Science and Exploration

Games Night

Games Night was a blast, and I learned that I have absolutely no acting skills (Thanks Hoopla). It was a great evening, and everyone was so wonderful about teaching me how to play the various games. I have to give a big thank you to Taras for picking me up. :)
As well, thank you to our host Chris, who I now fully believe is the real life MacGyver. I also finally got to see the famous "Garland"!

I just wish I did a better job of avoiding all the cameras, as I truly hate having my picture taken.

Thank you to everyone who was there for such a perfect evening! :)

Favourite Snack Addition

I do not know how I forgot to list my number one favourite snack, but I did neglect to mention it.

Favourite snack food of all time is: Watermelon :)

Blog Tag Post #3

Five snacks you enjoy:

1. Humpty Dumpty Cheesies – no other ones come close – not even Cheetos


2. Roast Chicken Chips – I can only find these in Nova Scotia


3. Clementines - I love how easily they peel


4. Red Delicious Apples – Yummy – But I have to admit I prefer the American Red over the Canadian one {hanging my head in shame}


5. Carmel Flakies – Again – only found in Nova Scotia

Five songs to which you know all the lyrics:

1. Farewell To Nova Scotia (as Malice has clearly stated – All Bluenosers know this one)


2. O Canada – I should hope I know this one


3. Jingle Bells – Just do not ask me for the second verse


4. We Wish You A Merry Christmas – Is there a second Verse?


5. Away In A Manger – First Two Verses

Blog Tag Post #2

What were you doing 1 year ago?

Working in Downtown Toronto, and getting ready to go home for Christmas.

Christmas in the City is hard on me. Perhaps, it is because I was born and bred in a small town where everyone knows your name (sounds like “Cheers”). I am not kidding. Growing up one of my favourite things to do was to go for long drives in the car. Let me tell you, before I even pulled in the driveway – my parents would know where I was – how fast I was going – and what music was playing (usually "Prince" or “The Cars”).. My tastes have evolved since then. These days, I am more likely to play one of the “Phantom of the Opera” soundtracks or “Pytor Ilyich Tchaikovsky”. However, I still love my Depeche Mode, but have found that Classical Music and Opera soothes my soul (though I am just a beginner when it comes to learning about the composers).

Anyways, I am off topic…back to my answer:
Christmas in a small town is absolutely wonderful. One always has food and drinks ready for the guests who just “Drop In”. There is no such thing as making an appointment to visit a friend/family (it is actually considered bad manners to do so). People throughout the season go from house to house, visiting and enjoying the goodwill of mankind. Everyone makes you feel welcome, and there is so much joy in the hearts of all.

So just about this time last year, I was doing my last minute shopping and making sure I had room in my suitcases. Counting down the days until my flight left. Making sure that I had everything ready in time (never happened…and of course there was last minute rushing but it was a nice dream to even think I would be prepared beforehand).

Blog Tag Post Answer #1A

Blog Tag Post Answers # 1A

Let’s Try This Again…perhaps it was a sign to tell me that my answers were too long the first time.

What were you doing 10 years ago?

Ten years ago, I was living in Etobicoke and working at Smithbooks in Sherway Gardens. The Store is no longer there, but it will always have a special place in my heart.
Our Store had a higher than normal percentage of regular customers, and those customers became our friends. In fact, they became our family; not only did we have our regular customers, but our staff remained essentially the same as well.
At Christmas time, we exchanged cards with our special customers. In some cases, we would exchange gifts with them as well. Our customers were very generous towards us, and the gifts that they would give were filled with love, and warmth.
I absolutely loved our customers, and I still keep in touch with a couple today. I loved picking out books for them, and separating the books into piles (for each individual customer) for I knew their tastes as well as my own. We would always call them to notify when their favourite authors would come in. We would also contact them if we thought that we discovered a new author that they would enjoy.
Several of our customers, would bring in their family and friends to meet us. Nothing warms your heart, and makes it beam as the honour of meeting these people. How incredible for us to have touched our customers lives in some way, that they would think you are worthy of meeting those closest to them.
As it turns out, I will be responding to the answers in segments. Good Night

Christmas Countdown

Countdown Has Begun

Blog Tag Post #1

Thank you to the "Lone Consultant" for tagging me :)

I might try to do this in one shot. Let's go :)


Finally: Answer the questions below
What were you doing 10 years ago?
What were you doing 1 year ago?
Five snacks you enjoy:
Five songs to which you know all the lyrics:
Five things you would do if you were a millionaire:
Five things you like doing:
Five things you would never wear again:
Five favorite toys:

***Okay - after being about 60% finished with my replies - one wrong click and I have lost it all. I know better than that as I usually save drafts.***

Sorry folks, I am off to bed. I will redo it on the week-end.

Tagged on December Eve

I have been tagged by the "lone consultant"...and I am going to borrow his brilliant idea of filling out the information in blocks over time. I will begin tomorrow. :)

It is hard to believe that in less than one hour; it will be the month of December. My favourite month of the year. December brings snow, December brings hope, and December brings peace. December is the time of year, that others (except those in packed shopping malls) try to bring comfort to their fellowman, and bring joy to everyone's hearts. It is not about the commericalism of the holiday season ....or as I prefer ....the "Christmas Season". December to me is the gathering of family (which are too far away for me to be with), and friends. It is the smile on your friends faces as they enjoy hot cocoa on a warm winter night, or the laughter of the season. The look of "Christmas Past" as you enjoy yet another airing of "It's a Wonderful Life". The smile on your face as you watch "Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer", and remember the warmth of your childhood. Or perhaps, the memory of waiting for Santa while listening to another telling of "Twas the Night Before Christmas".

December is the most wonderful time of the year.

Let It Snow Let It Snow Let It Snow

My wish has come true and how...for the past two days we have had snow....

As I said to Taras tonight on IM "I love snowstorms, just not when I am in them." The snow really does make everything beautiful, and yet in an instant it is almost blinding. There has to be irony in that.

I cannot wait until the snow is the fluffy packing kind, so I can build my first snowman of the season. Half the fun of building snowmen, is to see how long they can last (which I think is the point of building sandcastles when one thinks about it).

I love making snowmen, and the smaller the better. I love using items on hand (including computer parts), and bring them to life (and without a magic hat at that). Snowmen really warm my heart. How can one not look at their smiling, warm, and friendly faces, and not be touched.

Neglected

I have neglected my Blog yet again (as well as reading my friends)...but work is busy right now. All I want to do when I get home from work...is climb into bed and visit slumberland. But alas...real life interfers...

I have also noticed that I when I was playing around with the template...I messed it up as all my Links are now at the bottom of the page. That is not a good sign. I will play with it on the weekend and hopefully have it corrected.

Thank you to all who agree with me about snow. I really believed that I was a rare case, but you have shown me otherwise.

Rain Rain Go Away

Rain Rain Go Away

I know that I am one of the very few people in the City (and probably the Country) that prefers snow over rain.
Rain is dull and dreary. Rain is cold at times. Rain makes you wet.

Snow is bright and beautiful. Snow can be mild at times. Snow does not make you wet (well, unless you have been out in it for a while such as skiing).

Rain makes drivers crazy, and they speed to the point of hydroplaning. Do these drivers realize that hydroplaning – means that your tires do not touch the ground? Perhaps they do not.
Snow makes a driver slow down, and makes them aware of their surroundings. Snow makes people more cautious drivers by nature (pun intended although it is a poor one at best).

One can be out in the snow for hours, and time flies. One can be out in the rain for ten minutes, and times slows to the point of misery (where the ten minute feels like sixty).
One can make a home out of snow; no one can make a home from raindrops.

Snow comes in many shapes and sizes that one can see. Rain comes in splashes, which fog up glasses.

Snow is best you see, and I agree.

Manta Ray Safety Tips

I was Googling tonight, and discovered a Top Ten List of Safety Tips when one encounters a Manta Ray. I had to list them on my blog for my pure interests; as I truly love these "Gentle Giants".

10 Rules for Manta Ray Encounters

Here are a few simple rules to increase your enjoyment and protect mantas from injury:

(1) Enter the water carefully so as not to scare them away.
(2) Stay still and they will come to you.
(3) Position yourself along the bottom or near a cleaning station.
(4) Do not chase them. Stay within their vision and let them decide if they want to approach you.
(5) Do not touch them, even if they may present their bellies for a rub. Simply touching a manta may remove some of the mucus coating that protects the animal from marine infections.
(6) Avoid exhaling bubbles into their face. However, some manta may actually enjoy the bubbles on their undersides.
(7) Mantas are generally not bothered by flash photography or video. But first observe their behaviour.
(8) Do not disturb them if they are engaged in feeding, cleaning or mating.
(9) Attempt direct eye contact. They generally welcome a friendly connection.
(10) Never ride mantas, even though they may 'present' themselves for riding.

Tips courtesy of
http://www.dive-the-world.com

Go See Chicken Little In 3-D

I went to see "Chicken Little" in 3-D today in Woodbridge. It was great and the 3-D effects were very well done. In fact, we got to keep the glasses. How cool is that! I also noticed that the glasses were not only shaped the same as Chicken Little's, but they are also the same colour frames. The theater was packed with children, and hearing them so pleased with the 3-D super cool effects really touches ones heart.
I will admit once again, that I truly love Children's Movies. In fact, "Chicken Little" had so many adult references that I know children would not understand them. This is indeed a movie that is meant for adults just as much (if not more) than Children. Disney needs to be truly commended on a job well done. I only hope that they bring out more movies in this 3-D Technology.

I am off to bed and will fall asleep listening to the wild wind outside my window.

I may not be Batman but a Faerie

You scored as Faerie. Faerie: Aren't you a cute little flying person? Faeries are earth spirits. They live among each element completely hidden. They have cousins called Pixies. Pixies however, are very mischevious. They enjoy tormenting other creatures for fun. Little pranksters.. I hope you never meet one. Pixies have a bad reputation for finding a creature and clinging to them until death. Faeries can be somewhat close to a Pixie, but mostly they are loving, playful, and carry with them a child-like enthusiasm for life. Hide among the pedals of a Daisy, you are a Faerie. Faerie 83% WereWolf 75% Angel 67% Mermaid 67% Dragon 50% Demon 42% What Mythological Creature are you? (Cool Pics!) created with QuizFarm.com

I am Batman

You scored as Batman, the Dark Knight. As the Dark Knight of Gotham, Batman is a vigilante who deals out his own brand of justice to the criminals and corrupt of the city. He follows his own code and is often misunderstood. He has few friends or allies, but finds comfort in his cause. Batman, the Dark Knight 67% Lara Croft 63% Maximus 58% James Bond, Agent 007 54% Indiana Jones 54% The Amazing Spider-Man 54% William Wallace 50% Neo, the "One" 46% The Terminator 42% El Zorro 38% Captain Jack Sparrow 21% Which Action Hero Would You Be? v. 2.0 created with QuizFarm.com

Mr. Scarecrow

I thought that I would post a picture of the scarecrow that my sister made to greet all the goblins and ghouls on that scary Hallowe'en night. I should have been in bed long ago, but my mind is going a mile a minute....so I am truly off now...and will drag out "Wuthering Heights" to put my mind asleep. I love classical literature especially pre-dating 1900. However, as many times as I have tried - I simply cannot make it through this book. Yet, her sister's book "Jane Eyre" is one of my favourites of all time. C'est la vie! So now I use it as a last resort for when I cannot fall asleep.
Good Night

Christmas Is Almost Upon Us

I cannot believe that it is November already. This year has truly flown by, and Christmas is just around the corner. In addition, it seems that the advertisers have started their Christmas campaign early this year. I remember looking at Christmas Cards on sale, and thinking to myself - Hallowe'en is still a month away. As well, I subscribe to my beloved "Globe and Mail" and for at least one full week (6 days in the G&M) world...I was innudated with catalogues for Companies selling "Baskets". I am thinking to myself how many Basket Companies can there be - and lo and behold - I am still finding out. It is almost a joke truly - for all the companies are selling the same type of baskets - with the same type of contents for a wide variety of prices. In fact, some of the types of baskets are so close in similarity that you know they copied from each other. Note to "Globe and Mail" - Please no more Basket Catalogues. My recycle bin is starting to reject them.

Happy Hallowe'en!

Double, double toil and trouble; Fire burn, and caldron bubble. - Act IV - Scene I - Macbeth by William Shakespeare

Tonight is the night for all to beware of what lurks in the dark and scary eve ....who knows what evil lurks in the heart of those too old to be "Trick or Treating" - yet they must... for they are cursed to wear a costume forever on All Hallowe'd Eve...it is their fate that they walked the earth after the witching hour and forgot to be all "nestled in their beds" and now they must pay the price...

So, if you are out and about on this most spooky night, beware of those out past midnight...for you too could meet the fate of those before you, and be cursed forever to wear a "Jedi Knight"...

Testing...Testing...

I realised that while salvaging my posts, I managed to change my settings. The settings that allows one to post comments on my new posts. This finally dawned on me yesterday. So hopefully I have it corrected.

Very Difficult

I want to applaud Gwen, for being so dedicated to her Blog. It seems like one thing after another, and *poof*...it is already just a day shy of a week...since my last post. Today, is day 4 of a Migraine or is that day 5 and I am just not up to thinking straight. Though I will have to comment on that most ridiculous law of the Ontario Government ...concerning "Pitbulls". To have so many rules on the poor dogs, without holding the owners truly accountable confirms my belief that politicians just do not have a clue...and make up laws in the hopes that it will get them voted back into the office. When will the Ontario Government realise that it is the owners, and not the dogs that are the problem. To ban these beautiful animals because of the lack of understanding and rules governing their owners is unacceptable. So if the owners abuse their pitbulls and make them aggressive, do we make stronger laws to rightly punish these people and ban them from owning animals permanently. No...instead they take it out on the dogs treating them almost on the same level as human. The Ontario Government is severely lacking courage, knowledge, and plain common sense. As one who has been bitten by a pitbull (12 puncture wounds in my left hand), I have first hand knowledge of what these dogs can do...when they are under the care of an irresponsible owner. It amazes me that the Government will not take measures to ensure stronger laws are in place to protect and prevent puppy mills, and animal cruelty. Yet, they declare war on the poor defenseless animals. And yet, there are those who fail to comprehend when people do not vote. I do vote but I will clearly state that there is not currently a politician or political party that I believe in. Not, when most Governments are reactive and never proactive. That is the failings of poor leadership.

One day I hope to see a government and People that have the courage to realise that change is not a choice but a requirement. That the world is continually evolving, and that knowledge is truly power.

Foolish

Word of advice...never work on your Blog at 4 AM...because you may make very foolish mistakes. I am not feeling well, and my brain simply does not understand this. Hence, why I am up at this hour, and my brain is going a mile a minute. Therefore, I thought I would work on the code to add Links to my blog. Well, I created a second test blog and once I got the coding to where I wanted, I deleted what I thought was my test blog. Turns out it was my original blog, and I lost everything. I did happen to have a page open with the old blog posts (all except one)...so I managed to salvage the posts. Unfortunately, I lost the comments as well. In order for me to keep track, I added the original post dates (for my benefit only). My apologies to all whom leave wonderful comments and may I never been so foolish again.

Home

As I look at this picture with fond memories, I can once again smell the salt in the air...and hear the roar of the surf. This is where I spent all of my summers growing up, and a place to where I know I will eventually return. How can one describe such a place to those whom have never known the touch of the cool sand on their feet...Who have never experienced the joy of jumping the waves... The feel of the water lapping against your legs as you so desperately try to save your maginificent sandcastle (all sandcastles are grandeur to those who build them - especially those without any true skills)...The calmest of the waves when one needs to soothe their soul...the breathtaking beauty of its inhabitants...and the wonder of life that it gives so freely. There are those who believe a lake is on equal ground with the ocean, and I am here to tell them they are wrong. For a lake does not have the variety of life that the sea contains, nor does it provide such a lively hood for those who live within its boundaries. It does not have the depths, the treasures, and the force of the ocean. Lakes do have their place within our hearts, and they give peace to those who need it. But they will never compare on any level with the beauty of the Sea.

Blog of the Unknown

Originally Posted On Wednesday, October 19, 2005

I truly do not know what to write for tonight, but want to post at least something. I have also realised that for the last two posts, I did not format them the same as the others *smacking my forehead*. Oh well... C'est la vie!Fall is definitely here, and I love when you can smell it in the air. The trees are changing colours, though not as vibrantly as I remember (past seasons). Nature is truly beautiful at this time of year; there is nothing like watching children playing in a pile of freshly fallen leaves (somethings in our ever present world of constant change - remain the same). This is the perfect time to curl up with a good book, and electric throw (so I can at least pretend I have the warmth of a fire). Well, that is about it for now. Once again I am up way past my bedtime, and my brain is letting me know.
I bid all a good night.
posted by Mantaray Ocean at 1:48 AM 0 comments

Marketing

Originally Posted On Tuesday, October 18, 2005

Why is it that the Marketing Dept at hugely successful companies, treat the general population as idiots. I will admit that there are a few people that one has to shake their head at and wonder..How in the world these people can function in there day to day life (for an explanation - just ask any retail staff during the month of December). For example, Rogers ...Our wonderful monopoly Cable company...They are advertising over and over and over (get my drift)...That if you pay an outrageous price for their digital cable (which in reality has very few subscribers) you can get their famous "time-shifting". Yes, they have even coined a term for it. However, what they fail to mention is that there is no magic involved...No group of employees who worked diligently on how to offer more to their customers...No...Rogers just has the good fortune to be based in a country with 5 different time zones. So the reality is that their so called "time-shifting" is TV channels in each of the 5 zones, and voila that is it. It literally stupifies me how they can get away with it. It leads one to believe that there is this new upgrade in Cable, that will allow you to schedule any show that you want to watch around your life. Or what about the phrase "New and Improved". How many times a week, do you see a TV ad for some "new and improved" product of a brand that you use. When in reality, "new and improved" means that they have reduced the size of the product in volume. The same goes for "Ultra" and yet these companies continue to do this on a daily basis.What about politicians? They (in General) make promises we all know that they are not going to keep (and have no intention of keeping)...And yet we vote them in..in the hopes that they will keep their promises. Vicious CircleWhy do we allow them to "pull the wool" over our eyes?
posted by Mantaray Ocean at 1:06 AM 0 comments

I Blew It...

Originally Posted On Sunday, October 16, 2005

Well, I truly blew my posting of a log per day.... I blew it right out of the water. By the time I get home from work in the evenings, I am so tired from all the traveling, I have been going right to bed and read (to unwind). So, now I am going to try and get right back on the blog and start again. Tonight, I went to the movies with one of my friends. We went to see Wallace and Gromit "Curse of the Were-Rabbit" and it had a short movie beforehand. The short movie starred the Penguins from the "Madagascar Movie", and it was called "Christmas Caper" (or something along those lines). Well, we enjoyed them both thoroughly. It has been a long time since I have laughed that hard. They were both brilliantly done, and I love British Humour. In fact, I love Kids Movies and always will. I believe it is the simple enjoyment of laughter that one does not find in Adult Movies. The pure innocence of wanting to entertain the creative and imaginative mind of children. I know that in some ways, I will always be a child at heart. I believe that you must enjoy life, even though it deals some rough blows at times. One must also be able to laugh at one's self because life is too short not to be happy. I was planning on a longer post tonight, but my eyes are starting to close (which is telling me that I am past my bedtime). Tomorrow, will definitely be a longer post.Good Night All
posted by Mantaray Ocean at 11:22 PM 2 comments

Mobile Phones...The New Things Strangers Ask To Borrow

Originally Posted On Monday, October 10, 2005

I am completely dumbfounded and utterly speechless at this...Twice in the last 3 weeks, I have had a stranger ask me to borrow my mobile. I was so stunned the first time, that the first person decided against using it (Perhaps because my mouth was open in disbelief). Last night, while I was waiting for a bus ...I am sitting cross-legged on a bench reading a book...while not so patiently waiting for this bus...when a complete stranger walks up to me and puts his hand out towards me. I am not sure at this point what he wants... so I raise my head up to look at him and he says "Can I borrow your phone?" I thought I may have mistaken in what I heard him and he repeats the question. I had the mobile in my hand so I could check the time (as I forgot my watch yesterday). I proceed to hand my phone over to him (all the while telling myself that I am foolish for doing this), and he apologies for asking me to borrow it. He talks on the phone for about two minutes, and then hands me back my phone. Then he says "thank you". I know that I had the *stunned* look on my face. The one thing that I have learned over the years is that no matter how hard I try to cover them, the emotions that I am feeling show on my face (so much for ever playing poker). But that is a subject for another day...Back to the borrowing of the mobile.....I can understand if there is an accident or some sort of emergency where the person must absolutely use a phone or needs to reach someone. I have never been in that situation before but would hand my phone over in an instant. However, for a complete stranger to have the nerve (for a lack of a better word right now) to ask someone for their phone (to borrow)...instead of using a payphone just floors me. I would never walk up to a stranger and ask to borrow their phone (or any other item for that matter). Yet, others seem to think nothing of asking for a cigarette, lighter, matches (and I do not smoke), change, money, comb, lipstick, perfume...and I should no longer be shocked by this...but I still am. I have had strangers ask me for money so that they can buy a lottery ticket. I have had strangers insist on borrowing a lighter, and when I respond that I do not have one...they still persist. I then reply that I am a non-smoker. Occasionally, there are times when I feel that I should wear a button stating that I do not smoke...and only because some of these people are insist that I would have a cigarette or lighter on me. For all of those future strangers whom will insist I have a "smoke" or such...I DO NOT NOR HAVE I EVER SMOKED... I could possibly understand their persistence if they saw me smoking or using a lighter but to firmly insist on borrowing something that I do not have ...I am at a lost to comprehend...
posted by Mantaray Ocean at 1:33 PM 3 comments

Tired Yet Again

Well I broke my run of a post everyday for approximately a week...but I worked seven days straight this week and it really drains my soul...So I shall post something tomorrow to make up for the two day neglect..
posted by Mantaray Ocean at 12:24 AM 0 comments

Originally Posted on Monday, October 10, 2005

World Of Science Disappoints Me Yet Again...

Once again, I have not yet learned to accept the fact that the world of science fails me...Many times...Or rather the arrogance of Science...
It has been recently announced that the Scientists from AFIP, CDC, and the Mount Sinai School of Medicine in the United States, have re-created the "Spanish Flu" that killed 40 million people (1918-1919). No other disease in the History of Mankind killed more people in such a short span of time. They have recreated the Virus from scratch - however, a few years ago - Scientists discovered parts of this virus in frozen human remains (Arctic Tundra) and in tissue that was stored in government warehouses. Which allowed for comparisons of the man made virus to the one that was created in a lab. Was the recreation of this virus necessary in this day and age of the very real possibility that the Avian Flu will be the next "Great Flu Epidemic" or was it the arrogance of wanting to go into history books (as the first time an infectious agent behind a historic pandemic has ever been reconstructed).
I understand how important genome sequencing is, and what valuable information can be obtained from recreating this deadly virus. However, I worry what will happen to the ten vials that hold ten million particles of this virus. I also paid close attention to the wording of a CDC employee stating that the "public is at a minimal risk". The CDC is the same body that decided to keep the Smallpox Virus alive instead of destroying it. To be fair - Smallpox Virus is also stored at a lab in Siberia. However, we do know that there are now illegal stocks in various countries in the world...will the same thing happen with this newly re-created virus?
Will we one day read in the Headlines that some of the vials are missing?
Will we learn that the beginnings of this Flu has once again reared its ugly head?
Or will we learn that by recreating this flu virus has saved millions of lives?
Originally Posted on Friday, October 7, 2005
posted by Mantaray Ocean at 10:36 PM 3 comments

Good Night

Tonight is going to be short and sweet...I am too tired to write but did not want to break my track record of one post per day.Good Night And May The Bed Bugs Never Bite! (scary thing is that they are running rampant in Toronto right now...Who knew they still existed)

Originally posted on Thursday, October 6, 2005

Welcome Back Hockey

It is good to see Canada's favourite pastime back in session. Canadians love their Hockey...and to prove this we have put our beloved game on the back of our Five Dollar Bills. I mean can you truly think of another country who would even dream of putting hockey on their National Tender. *I did not think so*The shame of it all is that greed has ruined this game in a small part. To play a sport professionally for money seems to take some of the enjoyment out if it. In some way, I believe that the innocence of the game has been lost from greed of the owners and management. Somehow, when I picture these men as children playing for hours on end....I do not think that they are seeing dollar signs in their head...but just enjoying the moment for what it is. What goes through their heads now? Are they worried about being traded if their performance is not on par with what has been laid out before them? Are the Team Owners worried about television deals and trying to see how they can ensure good ratings? Are the coaches worried about if the team loses a few games that they will be terminated? Unfortunately, hockey has gone from being a National Pastime to one in which the ultimate goal is to make money, money...money

Originally Posted on Thursday, October 6, 2005