So I just heard sirens. Fire..ambulance...police. The with living on 22nd St is you wait and hear them terminate abruptly, or if they carry on in to the distance. These terminated close. I opened the rear window. Seeing flashing lights makes me nervous, since the accident in February and the ensuing battle with insurance to pay fair cost of the damage nothing more and nothing less.
It was my lucky day, this had nothing to do with me.
I ran over to the scene. I guess there were 3 vehicles involved. One west bound, two east bound. there was a car with front end damage east bound, an SUV with front end damage sitting on the median. A third, smaller car, was laying upside down in the centre lane of 22nd St east bound. I said it then, and I'll say it now "these things happen".
It appeared as though no one was seriously hurt, which is a bonus. There's a hive of cops running around now, redirecting traffic, closing 22nd St, a very sharp reminder of last February.
--
On a more positive note, I got Allan Blakeney's new book for Xmas. Here's the inside cover:
Posted by
Nathan
on
Friday 26 December 2008 - 14:45:56
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Friday 19 December 2008
Gilbert Gottfried
With the unfortunate passing of Majel Barrett-Roddenberry, LCARS, the computer from star trek, is without a voice. We, the undersigned, petition Paramount to cast the well known and renowned actor, Gilbert Gottfried as the new voice of LCARS and boldly go where no man has gone before.
Posted by
Nathan
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Tuesday 09 December 2008 - 08:34:49
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Saturday 29 November 2008
Dwain Lingenfelter is not a “stinky pirate” - but I'm still not supporting him
Here I am delaying the inevitable studying for C14. Anyway, I have proof that Dwain Lingenfelter is not a “stinky pirate”. Yesterday I went to see him at Browsers. He was a presentable man who appears to maintain a high standard of personal hygiene. He smelled very pleasing, so anyone who thought that he may stink, you are wrong.
As for him being a pirate, I do not think he is. At least not one on the high seas, as he flew in from Calgary to meet with us, and I don’t think there’s any piracy in the air. Perhaps he’s a music or software pirate..considering the massive amounts of money he has access to, I would doubt that he’d compromise his legitimacy by doing that.
Anyway, all that out of the way, I have decided I cannot support him as he does not line up with my views. For starters, the discussion on energy came up. He was saying that the only way Saskatchewan can mine uranium is if we support nuclear power. He also said that it’s important for Saskatchewan to consider taking up other roles in the nuclear industry. I cannot agree with that. Likewise, his model of the situation was over simplified. He basically said if you do not support nuclear energy production, you have to support the dirty coal industry. He used, as typical when you only present to choices, the extremes of each case, indicating we can have the clean air as nuclear powered France does, or we can have the choice of dirty air, such as in coal fuelled Beijing. When presented with the notion of renewable energy, he shoved it off and said it was not feasible in any large scale production.
When the topic came to education, he was more interested in loaning out more money to students than he was addressing the affordability issue. As anyone can agree, the criteria in which student loans are provided are entirely unrealistic and the process is very confusing and time consuming. However, the fundamental issue is not how much money one wants to put him or herself in debt, but how much it costs altogether. He completely ignored the issues such as housing (not affordability of housing, but the AVAILIBILITY of housing), the importance to child care to students who are also doubling up as parents, and the fact the prices of life’s necessities are increasing while wages remain fixed. His solution to lend more money and increase the availability of money would not work, as it does not address the fundamental issues in the equation.
Then I inquired about labour legislation. He informed me that the essential services legislation and trade union act amendments would not be rescinded, should be eventually become premier. He told me he would change them to be “more workable”. I asked what that means, but he couldn’t provide an answer. I asked about the discussion of lowering the age of employment to 14, and he didn’t say no to that either. He said, like politicians do, that it’s a complex issue and we would have to look at the various concerns, not ruling out allowing 14 year olds to take up jobs at the sacrifice of their education.
Now isn’t that more thought out than an ad hominem attack on someone?
Posted by
Nathan
on
Saturday 29 November 2008 - 12:12:23
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Wednesday 19 November 2008
It snowed today...like kind of dumped on the city, in some sort of white, wet, wrath known only as horrifying. Drive carefully (as in, I enjoy the somewhat relaxed pace in which I do my job, don't disrupt that)
In honour of today:
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Nathan
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Wednesday 19 November 2008 - 19:37:30
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Sunday 16 November 2008
The Story of stuff
Posted by
Nathan
on
Sunday 16 November 2008 - 20:24:13
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Sunday 09 November 2008
i laughed..
Posted by
Nathan
on
Sunday 09 November 2008 - 12:43:46
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The coolest pic
The coolest 26 megapixel pic of a bunch of galaxies you'll see today.
Posted by
Nathan
on
Sunday 09 November 2008 - 12:41:41
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Wednesday 05 November 2008
kitteh pics
Posted by
Nathan
on
Wednesday 05 November 2008 - 18:22:16
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Tuesday 04 November 2008
Felis catus
So...for the benefit of whose actually reading, my fence is completed. It was impressive. It puts the old fence to shame...and if you have a fence it probably puts yours to shame too because it's awesome. It's even more awesome than a 12 foot high robot zombie jesus with chainsaws for arms and a thirst for the sweat of republicans.
Speaking of sweaty republicans...election day today. Thusfar...looks like Obama. Hurray for the "socialist" candidate...which is kind of funny, since Stephen Harper is more left wing than Obama.
I wrote C14 midterm. I think I dominated that. Now if only I can dominate that mouse problem of mine........hmm....if only I had some sort of predatory being to hunt mice while I was at work....
I kan haz a kitteh* 2dae! :D
* kitteh not actually as shown.
And that's the world according to nathan today.
Posted by
Nathan
on
Tuesday 04 November 2008 - 20:37:59
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IT appears Obama is winning. Countries of note would be Afghanistan. They appearently support Obama as well.
Posted by
Nathan
on
Wednesday 29 October 2008 - 23:55:19
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Monday 27 October 2008
Caught you
So I got back from SFL. I got back from NDP Council. Today I heard the little pitter patter of tiny feet. A mouse (or mice?) had decided to move in while I was in Regina. The damn thing ran across the floor this morning. I saw it, confirming my thoughts. I thought maybe it would go away. Jae was over and saw it run around. I informed him of this mouse issue. After his departure I went to work. While playing opera, Die Walkuere, I set traps. I saw the bastard a few more times. I cleaned out various places of my home where it could have hidden. I noticed it tore apart a bag of flour. The trap was set..... At the stroke of 10PM....SNAP echoed through my house. Game Over, Mouse.
Posted by
Nathan
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Monday 27 October 2008 - 00:23:36
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Friday 24 October 2008
SFL, light at the end of the tunnel
Today Buffy Sainte Marie came to speak. She is a strong woman, with many stories and great insight. She spoke passionately about the arts, peace and how people have to stick together and accomplish things. She spoke about her history, such as being black listed in the USA as she was an outspoken artist. She spoke of her childhood and how she “met” various musical instruments and how music can be used as a tool for communication, with or without words. She spoke of the need to support women’s issues and of the fundamental role they play in our society due to biological differences in how they think. It was very inspirational. This brings me to another guest we had at the convention. …After God had finished the rattlesnake, the toad, the vampire, He had some awful substance left with which he made Rob Norris. Norris is a two-legged animal with a cork-screw soul, a water-logged brain, a combination backbone of jelly and glue. Where others have hearts, he carries a tumor of rotten principles.
We invited Norris to the labor convention. We hoped he would offer something of substance..you know, a justification for the unbalanced legislation of bills 5 and 6. We hoped he’d answer questions. We were fair. He walked up to the podium- Began to speak. It was the routine “cut taxes, invest in roads, etc” that most politicians give. I mean, sure it’s what’s needed, but not on my priority for spending government money. Anyway, he then brought up the inevitable blow- the catalyst which provoked the need for action from labor. He said something along the lines of “we kept the government’s promise to balance labor legislation with bills 5 and 6”. Game over, Mr. Norris. The room, spontaneously assembled at the back of the hall, behind our striking steelworkers. They started singing Solidarity Forever. We chanted things in support of labor. We continued this until the end of his speech. It was time for questions. The lawyer from RWDSU went to the mic and asked about any further changes to labor legislation. He dodged the question. He started talking about some other unrelated thing…the crown demanded an answer, “Yes or No” we chanted. No answer, just words put together to resemble some sort of sentence. Every question we asked he answered in a similar answer, as though covered in slime and grease allowing him to slip through giving an answer. We gave him a chance to answer, he refused. Then on Global News, he commented about our actions, as though he wanted to open dialogue with us. If that’s what he wanted, I feel its too little, too late.
May 14th 2009 – Day of action, fellow workers.
Posted by
Nathan
on
Friday 24 October 2008 - 19:59:15
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Thursday 23 October 2008
labour, hotels.
Yesterday evening I headed to Regina. I am staying in the Ramada hotel. It's a cozy room, and I enjoy the shower..a nice change from my usual bath.
Today I woke up. My normal cold medication failed to work for the 3rd day in a row. I tried something different...I tried Buckley's cough suppressant with DM...om nom nom. It works...I abstained from drinking tonight because of the sickness, and I'm not sure how well alcohol and DM go together.
Today was Jamie's birthday. I went with her and Jeff for supper. It was wicked great. We discussed the economy, insurance and other dull topics.
The convention agenda was packed. Larry spoke about the importance of labour and the role we play with the elected conservatives, both federally and provincially. Barb Byers also spoke to the election results.
I am excited for tomorrow...Rob Norris will be at the convention tomorrow at about 2:00 PM....where I guess he gets to answer for Bills 5 and 6. I'd hate to be him.
Posted by
Nathan
on
Thursday 23 October 2008 - 00:56:35
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Friday 17 October 2008
holy shit what a month
So I haven't posted in a month. Elections and all. Lets see...I spent last weekend with Bromwyn. I may spend this weekend with her as well, depending how shit happens. Last weekend I also began repairs to my fence and tore apart my cold storage room for the purpose of installing a new furnace and hot water heater. After tearing apart this board it kicked up a whole bunch of black coal dust. I've spent the week trying to get that out of my system and I tinhk I'm close to that. We also replaced the front door.
For a month, I haven't eaten anything healthy for me. My diet was chocalate rice crispies, restaurant food (from anywhere really, be it Donnair, McDs...etc) and energy drinks. I've said to hell with my insurance class this time, which landed me like 4 weeks behind shedule. I hope to catch up tomorrow. My diet will return to normal, which I am looking forward to. I haven't eaten anything of quality for a long time.
Tuesday, steward school began. Today steward school ended. Tuesday, I caught the tail end of the election..noting we won a seat in Alberta, but failed to win a seat in Saskatchewan. WTF man? Nettie came close, and I do'nt know what it was, but I would have insisted on a recount with such a close vote.
Today Lorne decided to step down. I caught the whole thing on video..mmmm Hi-Def. Anyway, Its too bad about this, as I felt he was a great leader and did many things. I also wish they had more chairs. I was rick rolled....they played never gonna give you up when lorne entered the room. I am afraid I may have been the only person to catch it.
In the mail, I received a whole bunch of health card renewals. I have marked them all return to sender.
Posted by
Nathan
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Friday 17 October 2008 - 00:47:41
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Thursday 18 September 2008
bells
One night, I went out with the wallflower at work, Lisa. It was a most interesting situation. I figured it would be lame and awkward, but she was really kind if fun to be with...who knew coworkers were people too?
I missed a social event on Sunday to spend the day at the campaign office crunching numbers and database tables.
Then Monday I returned to work. Spent the evening tucked away in a data bank.
Tuesday was class in the evening. I'm doing alright...all that auto insurance stuff and what not.
Wednesday, I caught up on my case load. I then hit the track and went go kart racing. It was most fun. Driving in circles and what not, and as usual, learning my coworkers, are in fact people too.
This morning, I woke up. My phone rang, it was my mother, she called to inform me Greg, my younger cousin was killed in a car crash involving him and a semi. His girlfriend survived, but that must be devistating for her. I, myself, am doing nice...I mean, considering the collective bargaining agreement only lets people have 1 day off when non-immediate family dies. Plus, the fact everything I do at work reminds me of car accidents...which in turn reminds me of the one he was killed in, makes me some sort of semi-hero I think. I'd have skipped work, but I lack vacation time to do it properly. I think I'm holding up for now. He hand I spent lots of time together, from ninja turtles to pogs to parties we did it all. Its interesting how something like this causes you to remember the most trivial events in your life and childhood.
I have an NDP meeting to chair tonight, so I will not be spending time at the campaign office...and tomorrow I have off work due to EDOs....so depending on how things go, I may be looking at a few houses which is nice.
Posted by
Nathan
on
Thursday 18 September 2008 - 14:35:25
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Saturday 06 September 2008
They see me 'justin' they hatin'...
So I have this insurance class to deal with. I'm about half way through the 2 chapters I need....which means.....I'm done one chapter when I think about it.
I headed to the campaign office...locked. Ah well, I guess nothing needs to be done.
At 4 today I get my new stereo deck in my car. This will add the option of playing my iPod in my car. This is exciting.
Posted by
Nathan
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Saturday 06 September 2008 - 13:37:38
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Tuesday 26 August 2008
Pay day Hurray!
I see the light at the end of the tunnel. Pay day is coming up. Which is good. It means I have warded off starvation for another 2 weeks. It's also the first paycheck that reflects my promotion.
I woke up this morning. I had breakfast...and something warm and fuzzy rubbed up against my leg. At first I thought perhaps I left some clothes in the middle of the floor (when you live alone and you don't have a wife/mother telling you to pick things up, you dont). I looked down. "Meow" the object said. Appearently a stray cat wondered in to my home at night (I left the doors open to allow ventilation of the hot air to the outside). It stayed in my home over night and left, when I stomped loudly and startled it. In retrospect, that may have not been the idea. I have empathy for this cat. I think this cat should have been taken in, as it's got guts. I mean, say you were a homeless person, and you found a house with an occupant, and the occupant was sleeping. You figured "Hey, I'm not bothering anyone, I'll jsut sleep here on his couch"..and the occupant gets up in the morning, goes about his routine, and you look at them while they are eating breakfast, and say "Sup?". I mean, that would take guts. Most people admire things that take guts, and now I am admiring my vagabond cat in hindsight.
To people in Saskatoon who need to buy their own groceries: the Coop is having a warehouse sale, get in on the goods while you still can!
My sleeps have been somewhat restless. I have been drawing the short straw when it comes to dreams. I hate dreams. Dreams suck. Dreams take too much energy, for example a dream about building a Go-Kart with your high school sweet heart's younger brother. It takes too much energy. If I could, I would dream about watching me sleep. That would be more enjoyable than the latest bout of dreams, which all involve me, at work...working. Like what the shit? Is that all I can come up with. A limitless imagination, and all my dreams consist of is me working? I wonder....If I work while I dream...can I dream while I work?
Posted by
Nathan
on
Tuesday 26 August 2008 - 21:49:17
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Sunday 24 August 2008
Video Blog 2
I forgot to post this.
Posted by
Nathan
on
Sunday 24 August 2008 - 17:03:41
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Saturday 09 August 2008
Strike Breakers - From Micheal Moore.
Posted by
Nathan
on
Saturday 09 August 2008 - 22:28:10
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