This image was taken from what I presume is my mom’s Seventeen magazine circa 1974. Apparently my mom did succumb to the marketer’s magic by purchasing a can of the magic wonder. The image actually contains four instructions (of which only two are visible):
Spray, Fluff, Brush, go!
Below is a scanned image of my original Nintendo user manual. It was the late 80’s and my friend Brian and I were glued to our TV’s playing Zelda, Super Mario Bros, and some other game I now forget the name of.
In its latest version of Windows Media Player, Microsoft has re-titled, re-scripted, re-named major components of its popular online media player.
No longer is music copied from CD to ones desktop, laptop, or portable media device, it is “Ripped”, the feature in WMP is titled “RIP” – now add “OFF” and we have the following:
Definition:
!. To steal from: thieves who ripped off the unsuspecting tourist.
2. To steal: ripped off a leather jacket while ostensibly trying on clothes.
3. To exploit, swindle, cheat, or defraud: a false advertising campaign that ripped off consumers.
The process of ripping music/movies/files is how P2P file networks were built. It allowed media to be moved from a physical subtrate i.e. CD/DVD to a digitized file format which was stored on one’s computer/laptop/Portable Media Device.
I am seriously re-evaluating the role meat products have in my life. Philly and I ventured off to this nice little Euro Bistro called Europea.
I had a delecatable nine course meal. I had this dish called Pâté de foie gras – I noticed that every item on the menu was translated into English with the exception of this dish. Silly me didn’t bother to ask the waiter what exactly Pâté de foie gras was.
When the dish arrived it looked scrumptious – “Pan seared Foie gras scalop, Caramelized Tatin Apples”. The dishes consistency was interesting to say the least.
My curiosity got to the better of me when I arrived home from Montreal. I started doing some research on this delicacy. To my disgust I came across the following site: http://www.gourmetcruelty.com/about.php – this site is not intended for those faint of heart.
Now, If the menu had read I would have left the establishment immediately:
Pan seared Foie gras scalop (a grossly enlarged liver of a duck or goose. Medically known as hepatic lipidosis, foie gras is a disease marketed as a delicacy. Birds raised for this gourmet cruelty are force-fed enormous quantities of food through a long metal pipe three times a day. This process of deliberate and painful overfeeding continues for up to a month, by which time the birds’ livers have swelled up to twelve times their healthy size), Caramelized Tatin Apples.
I am disgusted with myself for not being well versed in French, but most of all I blame myself for not asking the waiter exactly what it was that I had ordered.
I recently read in the Hamilton Spectator that the Art Gallery of Hamilton will have its gala grand re-opening on May 26, 2005.
“The Hamilton-connection, all-star lineup has something for everyone for the grand opening of the gallery’s $20-million makeover on May 26.
The white-tie event of the year, with 600 guests, has been sold out for months and months, says Larissa Ciupka, gallery marketing and communications director”
To my disgust “Guests will dine on foie gras, scallops and beef tenderloin, and listen to performances by Opera Hamilton and Niagara’s Best Smooth Jazz Orchestra.”
I will be looking at pressuring the AGH to withdraw “Pâté de foie gras” from its menu lineup for its gala opening. Possibilities include PICKETING the AGH (as there will be huge media attention focused on the event). An e-mail will be sent to the gala’s organizers, and possibly the hamilton spectator.
If you have any suggestions or would like to partake in this event please do comment or e-mail me @ ralph.meiers@sympatico.ca . To comment please click the comments hyperlink and type your name or nickname and in the comment textbox, type your comment.
I was in Montreal over Easter Weekend (stayed at the Fairmont Queen Elizabeth – John Lennon and Yoko had their famous bed-in at the Queen Elizabeth in the late 60’s)
It was a weekend of meeting new friends (Hi Anica), and partying with old ones (the one-of-a-kind Crystal Gem).
Phil and I partied at Unity II (http://www.club-unity2.com/home.php3) – However, due to our poor planning we didn’t get to attend “Bal en Blanc White”
The lineup included the who’s who in the electronica scene:
* TIESTO
* BENNY BENASSI
* MARCO G
* PREACH
* DAVID MORALES
* PETER RAUHOFER
* DEEP DISH
* JESTER
* BRUNO BROWN
What are you comments regarding the possible Flu Pandemic of H5M1?
The following three conditions must be satisfied to be considered an pandemic:
1. Flu must emerge from an animal, and has never previously affected humans
2. The Flu must make humans sick
3. The Flu must be highly contagious
So far, the first two conditions have been satisfied. The medical community awaits word on if the third condition also holds true for H5M1.
Well it seems like my site is finally taking off. I seem to be averaging about 25 unique visitors a day. March 3-4 has been the best day yet. A whopping 55 unique visitors whose average time spent browsing is between 3-30 minutes.
Now that I’ve seen the numbers, I’m going to make it one of my daily tasks to ensure there is something new everyday for you to read. I’m also looking at having some less static content, i.e. pictures.
FYI, my aunt Diane Adams had her student’s theatrical opening night with their take on the classic movie “Fried Green Tomatoes”. The play is running tomorrow night starting @ 7:00 (I believe next Thrusday and Friday as well) at Sir Allan MacNab highschool in Hamilton. Tickets are $5.00 and proceeds go to support the ARTS.
Higher purpose in the workplace means creating an environment of trust, respect, and ethics where each individual can do his or her best work.
Employees are seeking a workplace based on trust and on the respect and responsibility that grows from trust. This type of workplace is made up of informed employees and emphasizes constant, open communication. It encourages the highest and best in each individual employee. Most importantly, the enlightened company lives these values and ethics every day-day in and day out.
Love it? Read more.
Work priorities are CHANGING:
The top three priorities now speak clearly of a shift toward fulfillment, which links to spirituality. The employee priorities for work are, in order:
1. The ability to realize my full potential
2. Working for a good and ethical organization
3. Performing interesting work
4. Making money
Critical to the success of an enlightened workplace are leaders who make upholding these values a priority. These leaders must champion trust, respect and ethics throughout all levels of the organization.
Here’s to being the better person! By the way…I am for hire.
So I’m at a pivotol moment in my life where change is all around me. For those of you still skeptical that positive change is good change, let me assure you that negative change is BAD; However, as human beings I’ll leave it up to you to decide for yourself.
Here are some interesting definitions for you to consider(courtesy of www.dictionary.com):
Integrity:Steadfast adherence to a strict moral or ethical code. 2: The state of being unimpaired; soundness.
Passion: strong feeling or emotion [syn: passionateness] 2: intense passion or emotion [syn: heat, warmth] 3: something that is desired intensely
Ethics:The rules or standards governing the conduct of a person or the conduct of the members of a profession
Life – what a wonderful thing it is; To wake up every day and ponder its simple delicacies is such a powerful thing, and yet we don’t often have the time to consider all of its implications and meanings.
I want to tell you something, I want to let you into a little secret. That little secret is ME, my life. I want you to know a side of me that all too often is hidden and locked away. You would be lying to yourself if you said that you really knew me.
Now that I’ve sparked your interest, let me begin.
I value honesty above all else. It is what moves us forward, and by us I am referring to the ‘humankind’. False-truths, hidden-agendas, beauracracy and war-mongering politics are issues and ideals that I’d rather not associate my self with.
What am I about? I’ve been recently referred to as being a ‘pseudo manager’ – Definition – “Apparently similar”. Thank you for bringing that to my attention, It’s opened my mind to a world of endless possibilities and opportunities. Earning the right to work, to realize my full potential is what I’m about. Being open, honest, and forthrigh is what I’m about. Understanding that there is no better day than TODAY, this is what I’m about.
We often live our lives in a “bubble”. What is this “bubble” that I talk about? A “bubble” is what happens when we close our minds to the world; it is what happens when we live life only for ourselves without the consideration of others, and, the impact that our choices (both positive and negative) may have on others. I know I understand what this is about. For those of you closest to me (Rachel, Mom and Dad) I’m sorry for not understanding this earlier.
Let me tell you about a woman who is strong, courageous, ethical, respectful, loving, and kind. This woman is my mother. My mother has taught me about life and its special powers. She has taught me to stand up for what I believe in. Through her parenting, she has taught me that this world of ours is beautiful, delicate and it is something to cherish every day that we alive. She has taught me things it would take a lifetime to document. I know and she knows that I am who I am today in large part because of her positive influence. I love you mom. You are truly the most selfless (definition – Having, exhibiting, or motivated by no concern for oneself; unselfish) person I know.
Rachel – You are a STAR in the sky – so perfect. I look up to you everyday. I just want you to know that.