RSS Is so great. Why is it great you ask? Well, Let me explain.

Its great for grabbing the attention of those who reside in the netherlands, pirates attempting to overrun Sealand, and wordpress dust bunnies.

Yes, I reminisce about this often, Yes Indeed.

A long while ago, almost a year now, I was asked to help tear down a play setup (strike). I dont even remember what the name of the play was, I was just called and asked to come help. They (Small Theater companies) are always short people, either from running out of money, or no-shows. It’s really a shame that this happens, as many aspects of a play/show are affected by a shoe-string budget. From amazing dependence/reliance on volunteers, to near-insurmountable expectations from paid staff (often paid just slightly over minimum wage), to Apprentices paid “honorarium’s” equalling approximately $2-3hr, with expectations equal to/greater than paid staff. Size and location of a theater in a given city weighs heavily on this as well. I found it interesting, certain times being extremely labour intensive, but not mentally stimulating, to other times of glorified button-pushing with bouts of “Drama” and psychological games.

While working at the theater as a stage hand, I became increasingly interested in the other technical aspects. During the Spring/Summer season, I had a great opportunity to assist a College course instructor/actor/carpenter with constructing a Mock Globe theater, from initial design, to construction, to setup of the completed project. Over the next few months, I would be called more often to fill-in spots when needed. During this time I had the chance to speak with an individual about my interests in P.A. (Public Address) setup, and technicial sound design. This interest stemming from helping staff a show featuring a travelling band with a few other local bands mixed in that night. From there it all goes downhill! It was suggested I pursue an apprenticeship. Sounded fun and cool to me, but then I dropped off the face of the planet with them, and decided to work so I could make some money after quitting my desk-job the prior year. I kept in contact randomly/sporadically with them but never pursued it further.

Months later, after working four different types of jobs, with no real interest sprouting from them, I decided to take the apprenticeship.

I will elaborate more on this apprenticeship I have taken, and pictures too!

The grizzly man is back, and this time he’s ready to take on bullets and bombs.

Troy Hurtubise, the Hamilton-born inventor who became famous for his bulky bear-protection suit by standing in front of a moving vehicle to prove it worked, has now created a much slimmer suit that he hopes will soon be protecting Canadian soldiers in Afghanistan and U.S. soldiers in Iraq.

He has spent two years and $15,000 in the lab out back of his house in North Bay, designing and building a practical, lightweight and affordable shell to stave off bullets, explosives, knives and clubs. He calls it the Trojan and describes it as the “first ballistic, full exoskeleton body suit of armour.”

Id wear it to work! Pretty cool looking, although not as cool sounding (in theory), or as likely to happen as this one is, being R&D-ed by DARPA.

Full Article

I almost couldnt believe it when I read the headline, I thought “No, they wouldnt”. And then I read the Globe & Mail news page. Its even more surprising that CBC is going to broadcast the show, given the current political landscape.

I almost pissed myself laughing when I went to visit they’re website for the series. Rife with cracks at many religions, leaving none unscathed, this includes christianity among others, that deals with relationships, generational gaps between traditional muslims, the general “Corner Gas-type” drama that is popular ‘now-adays’.

So on boxing day. (Yeah, I just cant seem to stop talking about it)

So on boxing day, I had the opportunity to watch a portion of the season of Clone High, a series in which…..Well, lets let Wikipedia explain it better.

Clone High is set in a high school that is secretly being run as an elaborate military experiment orchestrated by a government office called the Secret Board of Shadowy Figures. The school is entirely populated by clones of famous historical figures, with the idea that they would later be used by the United States military, who would harness their greatness in battle. The principal of the high school, Cinnamon J. Scudworth, has his own plans for the clones, however (he is something of a mad scientist figure), and secretly undermines the wishes of the Board. Instead of using them as soldiers, Scudworth wants the clones to staff a clone-themed amusement park (dubbed “Cloney Island”). He is assisted by his robot/vice principal/dehumidifier Mr. Butlertron (an obvious parody of Mr. Belvedere, since he calls everyone “Wesley”).

My favorite character, hands-down, is Mr. Belvetron.

The robot built for the principle of the school. My favorite part is where in the first episode, he (it) and the principle go to a student-thrown party, and he (it) asks “Where are my….”……Well, you should watch the show if you can to get the rest of that quote. Its well worth the purchase of the DVD.
It was memorable because: They backed the car up onto the curb of the Futureshop sidewalk (where everyone was in line waiting) because the power outlet outsides’ fuse had been blown because the two large 12-man Tents in front of us had used they’re dual space-heaters and 32″ TV’s too much. The kind person then allowed us to huddle around his laptop screen, with his laptop and speakers hooked up to his cars’ battery and watch a few too many hours of this show. It was awesome! Better than anything I possibly thought could have happened.