You tell 'em, Ms. Atwood!

To be creative is, in fact, Canadian
Mr. Harper is wrong: There's more to the arts than a bunch of rich people at galas whining about their grants
MARGARET ATWOOD
September 25, 2008
What sort of country do we want to live in? What sort of country do we already live in? What do we like? Who are we?

At present, we are a very creative country. For decades, we've been punching above our weight on the world stage - in writing, in popular music and in many other fields. Canada was once a cultural void on the world map, now it's a force. In addition, the arts are a large segment of our economy: The Conference Board estimates Canada's cultural sector generated $46-billion, or 3.8 per cent of Canada's GDP, in 2007. And, according to the Canada Council, in 2003-2004, the sector accounted for an "estimated 600,000 jobs (roughly the same as agriculture, forestry, fishing, mining, oil & gas and utilities combined)."

FULL STORY

World's Largest Particle Accelerator fires up in Geneva... Canadians helping out... (along with 8000 others from 85 other countries)

U of T physicists part of international team
By Kim Luke, posted Wednesday, September 3, 2008

On Sept. 10, an international team of scientists that includes members from U of T's Department of Physics will fire up a machine that they believe will answer some fundamental questions about the structure of the universe.

The highly anticipated $8-billion Large Hadron Collider (LHC), located under ground at the France-Switzerland border near Geneva, is the world's largest and most powerful particle accelerator as well as the most complex science experiment ever developed. Its main purpose is to explore the validity and limitations of the Standard Model, developed 30 years ago, which still provides the theoretical picture for particle physics.

FULL STORY

I take my coffee black, like my President.

"Change your Clothes and the Country will follow" is the philosophy behind online retailer 44th President.
Shirts conceived by Shari's husband Dan and modeled by her son Morgan.
Since I can't vote, I'll at least wear my politics.
I'm getting this one:

BREAKING the CYPHER Aug 9 & 10 2008

Saturday Aug 9, 2008 8PM
Sunday Aug 10, 1008 7PM
El Portal Theater
North Hollywood, CA

Cast: ME! Kujo, Peppa, Bailafuco, Catfox, Duo, Looner, Val Pal
TICKET INFO




“Reclaiming hip hop... by expanding the idiom’s creative horizons...” -Lewis Segal, Los Angeles Times

BREAKING THE CYPHER rocks the stage with a fresh and expressive vision of hip hop culture. Artistic Directors Amy “Catfox” Campion and Jacob “Kujo” Lyons harness the extreme physicality of breaking (aka breakdancing) into a multi-media performance that features spoken word and rhymes, a DJ, three exclusive dance videos, and ground-breaking choreography. “Breaking” is the style of dance. The “Cypher” is the dance circle where breaking happens in its most exciting form. BREAKING THE CYPHER means to dance in the circle. But it also means to break away from limitations, to redefine one’s self, and to manifest a new and vibrant style. BREAKING THE CYPHER pays homage to breaking’s history while transcending the limits of tradition to seek its essential creative spark.

My thoughts exactly. Thanks Beeeee.

Finally saw Dark Knight. I guess I wasn't the only one having trouble hearing what was going on...

Bees! Bees! Bees! Yo, I found some nectar!

Got this one from my sister in T.O. xxoo



Bee-Boy dance crew drops dead.

It is a fact of nature: When a honey bee returns to the hive after finding a good source of nectar, it will perform a unique dance for its hive mates, detailing the distance, quality and quantity of the new food supply.

Sadly, honey bees are mysteriously vanishing in staggering numbers - a crisis known as Colony Collapse disorder - which is alarming considering honey bees are responsible for pollinating one-third of our natural food supply.

Learn more at http://www.helpthehoneybees.com

My friend Kaz played this for me before a night out for bowling at Lucky Strike. It's just so infectious (fashionable, fashionable, fashionable..... people!) and I now brush my teeth to it every morning.

On another Canadian note, I'm going to see Feist and Pacifika at the Hollywood Bowl tomorrow! I <3 the Bowl.

Barack the Vote - B-rock & illary take on McCain

Thanks for the link Shabba-Doo

This is the Obama musical tribute America's been waiting for! Super fresh, super funky with a twist of humor to boot! Can B-Rock and Illary beat McPain and his crew in the ultimate B-boy battle?

Keith deftly handles the current Presidential election with an homage to the George Kranz classic "Din Daa Daa." Notice the tribute to the classic '80s movie Breakin, as Keith plays three characters in this parody masterpiece. Keith says "Vote Obama!" Hope you enjoy the fun!

The Audacity of Hope

it's like that, Comrad.

I love this clip - Thanks MATT!
I just saw the Kingdom of the Crystal Skull and think it would be a far better film with a little Russian B-boying, rather than random Peruvian Capoeira creatures hiding out in Mayan ruins.

What would you do if you saw 5 dogs locked in a car?

What would you do if you came home one night at 1:00am and saw a car parked in your apt building's parking lot with 3 full size dogs and 2 little dogs (total 5) locked in a car with the window's rolled down 2 inches?
The dog are barking at you like crazy as you walk by...
thoughts?

They're Baaaaaaaack! Youuuuuuuuuuu!

While the Soulja Boy part is good, I really prefer the U Can't touch this bit.
They should have these guys at the opening ceremonies for the Olympics. Thx for the link Jenn.

Tips for Cellphone Users (that's pretty much all of us these days!)

I haven't tried any of these out to verify of they work or just fodder for future Mythbusters episodes...


5 Things You Never Knew Your Cell Phone Could Do!

FIRST - Emergency

The Emergency Number worldwide for Mobile is 112. If you find yourself out of the coverage area of your mobile network and there is an Emergency, dial 112 and the mobile will search any existing network to
Establish the emergency number for you, and interestingly, this number 112 can be dialed even if the keypad is locked. Try it out.


SECOND
Have you locked your keys in the car?

Does your car have remote keyless entry? This may come in handy someday. Good reason to own a cell phone: If you lock your keys In the car and the spare keys are at home, call someone at home on their cell phone from your ce ll phone. Hold your cell phone about a foot from your car door and have the person at your home press the unlock button, holding it near the mobile phone on their end. Your car will unlock. Saves someone from having to drive your keys to you. Distance is no object. You could be hundreds of miles away, and if you can reach someone who has the other 'remote' for your car, you can unlock the doors (or the trunk).

Editor's Note: It works fine! We tried it out and it unlocked our car over a cell phone!'

THIRD - Hidden Battery Power

Imagine your cell battery is very low. To activate, press the keys *3370#. Your cell phone will restart with this reserve and the instrument will show a 50% increase in battery. This reserve will get charged when you
charge your cell phone next time.

FOURTH
How to disable a STOLEN mobile phone?

To check your Mobile phone's serial number, key in the following Digits on your phone: *#06#. A 15-digit code will appear on the screen. This number is unique to your handset. Write it down and keep it somewhe re safe.

When your phone get stolen, you can phone your service provider and give them this code. They will then be able to block your handset so even if the thief changes the SIM card, your phone will be totally useless. You probably won't get your phone back, but at least you know that whoever stole it can't use/sell it either. If everybody does this, there would be no point in people stealing mobile phones.

And Finally....
FIFTH - Free Directory Service for Cells

Cell phone companie s are charging us $1.00 to $1.75 or more for 411 information calls when they don't have to. Most of us do not carry a telephone directory in our vehicle, which makes this situation even more of a problem. When you need to use the 411 information option, simply dial:





(800)FREE411 , or (800) 373-3411 without incurring any charge at all. Program this into your cell phone now.

This is the kind of information people don't mind receiving, so
Pass i t on to your family and friends.

She's Good!

So good I wish I'd thought of it 1st! I should do one too and include Tina, Miss Nicaragua and some sushi.

Do your part. Get Tested!

Thanks beeee