Tuesday, January 15, 2013
Saturday, January 12, 2013
WHY IS "COMMON SENSE" SO RARE ?
(Rhetorical Question)
In Music
- Bananaphone synth was likely
inspired by the excellent MaKey MaKey circuit-building kit and makes use
of a few bananas as keyboard keys, which produce tones when touched.
- Wrist Piano: turn your
incessant table-top finger drumming into something more pleasing with the cheap and cheerful Wrist Piano may help. It only has eight notes,
but packs three sound banks, a built-in speaker and different volume levels
(although whether a player would make use of the meowing cat sound is anyone's
guess).
Self Driving Autos
- Audi has become the second recipient of a license to allow it to test autonomous vehicles on Nevada’s public roads. It follows Google, which was given the first self-driving license and exclusive red license plates last year. In 2010 the company’s Autonomous TTS research car completed the 12.42-mile (20 km) that make up the Pikes Peak Hill Climb course in an impressive 27 minutes. That’s around 10 minutes longer than an expert human driver would take in the same car.
- Toyota and its Lexus division took a step closer to the autonomous car as they unveiled their Advanced Active Safety Research Vehicle (AASRV) at a press conference in2013 in Las Vegas. The AASRV uses automated vehicle safety technologies to work toward the goal of eliminating "future traffic fatalities and injuries. The company’s approach is to use this technology to enhance the driver’s skill. It’s designed to avoid crashes, to prepare the car in the event of a crash, use passive technology to minimize the danger of a crash and to aid rescuers after a crash.
Sometimes it lasts in love, sometimes hurts instead(medical - (funny, but OUCH!)
But I'd bet one MMA fighter, even in his wildest dreams, never envisioned he'd encounter this sexual nightmare.
Ray Elbe, who was on The Ultimate Fighter season 9, was on a training tour in southeast Asia. Like any other testosterone-driven male, he, too, realized there's more than just training all the time. So why not arrange for a little "amour?" His sport is dangerous, and vigour in the ring provides the win, but the bed has different hazards. In this case, the ultimate fighter suffered the ultimate injury -- a fractured penis.
In an online video message, Elbe revealed his injury and cautioned other males: "Keeping it safe during sex isn't just wearing a condom."
So how often does this physical and psychological sexual nightmare occur? Possibly more often than we think, as who wants to admit it happened?
Many years ago, I was in a hospital library looking through medical journals. To my surprise, I found a study reporting 67 documented cases of the fractured male organ. One case involved a man who was admitted to the emergency department at 1 a.m. in obvious distress. He was agitated, his skin cold and clammy, suggesting blood loss. Doctors were shocked to discover a markedly swollen penis. Emergency surgery was required to remove a large blood clot.
How did it happen? The man was reluctant to explain, but finally admitted he had been masturbating vigorously and suddenly heard a loud snap followed by intense pain and swelling. The diagnosis? A fractured penis.
When I read about how other such cases occurred, it was hard not to chuckle.
One amorous Romeo was making love to his partner standing up. It appeared he must have been a fantastic lover, as she suddenly fainted. She didn't suffer any harm, but the her sudden fall caused quite a snap.
Some males suffered this embarrassing malady after bumping into a chair or bedpost during the night. Others were kicked during a fight. Another Romeo was injured while having sex in a moving car, and when the car came to a sudden stop, his penis smashed against the dash.
It takes some imagination and a course in gymnastics to speculate how another such accident happened. The victim claimed his penis was fractured when he closed the car door.
Then there's the case of the shepherd who was sitting in a tree watching his sheep. He fell asleep, had an amorous dream, developed an erection, fell out of the tree, landed on a wooden bar and there was another snap for the medical records.
But what happened to the UFC fighter is unknown. Perhaps his Waterloo was similar to the "honeymoon syndrome."
A 26-year-old man's honeymoon suddenly ended when his penis slipped during sex, striking his wife's pubic bone. There was a clicking sound and the penis was bent. Can you imagine the scene and the angst?
Treatment depends on the extent of the injury. Most such injuries require pressure dressings, ice packs, support for the penis and tranquillizers to calm the psyche. Surgery is needed when there's a massive blood clot.
Years ago, following my initial column on this subject, a farmer contacted me. He said I wouldn't be chuckling if I were a farmer and this happened to my favourite bull.
I also vividly recall that seven editors in the U.S. Bible Belt fired me for writing the column. Now I have more than the Bible Belt to concern me. Today, being a free-lance journalist is a hazardous job. Newspapers have to cut expenses, and I never know when this column might end.
So I'd recommend adding your name to my free website: www.docgiff.com . You'll continue to receive the column if this happens.
Winners and losers at the CES 2013 tech circus
Click on the link to see the good and the bad of Consumers Electronics Show from CBC
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Friday, January 11, 2013
Thursday, January 3, 2013
CHIEF THERESA SPENCE "HUNGER STRIKE" CLOCK
{*UPDATE: Her "fasting" ended after 44 days with thesigning of a 13 point agreement between the
AFN, NDP, and Liberal Parties}
;
" The crime differs from intentional murder in that it results not from a specific, conscious intent to cause death, but from an indifference to or disregard of the risks attending the defendant's conduct."
There is no such category of murder in Canada. Our laws assume that a normal, moral person will not stand idly by watching while a person dies and does not attempt some action to stop it.
Chief of Attawapiskat, Theresa Spence can reasonably be expected to die unless Harper agrees to accompany the Governor General to a meeting with her - that is all - just a meeting - no demands to be met.
DO YOU WISH YOUR PC HAD FANCY SYMBOLS ?
Everyone probably knows these CTRL keyboard shortcuts, but there are at least a hundred more.1. CTRL+C (Copy) 2. CTRL+X (Cut) 3. CTRL+V (Paste) 4. CTRL+Z (Undo)
Over 300 symbols and letters with accents, etc. are available by holding down the ALT key plus a number.
such as: (♥ ♣ ♂ ♫ ¢ √ ¢) using ALT3, ALT5, ALT11, ALT14, ALT155,ALT251, etc.
* * *
Sunday, December 30, 2012
SPECIAL UPDATE
UPDATE ON CHIEF TERESA SPENCE HUNGER STRIKE
From Huffington Post: Former PM Joe Clark and 16 MP's from the NDP accept her invitation to visit her on Sunday, Dec 30th at Victoria Island, Ottawa
Spence invited MPs and senators to visit over a two-hour period Sunday at her teepee, situated on an island in the frozen Ottawa River looking up at Parliament Hill.Former prime minister Joe Clark, the highest-profile visitor, made an appearance Saturday, meeting with Spence and issuing a statement that said honest conversation can often lead to common ground.
Members of both the opposition NDP and Liberals expressed concern Sunday for Spence's health.
"She's a very determined woman and she's heard the message from others that she's done what people think she needed to do, but she noted that the prime minister has not talked to anyone, or put out a message that he is willing to meet with leaders, and that's all she's asking for," said New Democrat MP Paul Dewar, who was among 16 of the party's politicians to be invited inside.
Both Dewar and fellow New Democrat Craig Scott said they were worried about her condition.
"She's very peaceful in her demeanour, but that goes along with being quite weak now," said Scott. "She talks about sleeping more than she had earlier, in the first two weeks. I think it's very clear it's starting to take a physical toll."
Concern is strong enough that some have urged her to give up and let Opposition politicians take up the fight — something Craig said he tried to convey to her.
"I spoke directly to her and said, 'You know, you've done more anybody could expect one person to do, and there's no reason you and you alone should have to carry this burden.' And she said, 'It's my burden to carry.'"
An adviser to the chief and band council said there is no backing down.
"The chief is a strong-spirited, determined individual," said Danny Metatawabin. "We need to get the message out to the prime minister of Canada.
"Although she is drinking her liquids of water and fish broth, you know, she is getting weak in body when you don't eat solids. The body tends to shut down. They should just come and talk to us. Why are we afraid to communicate with one another?"
Health Minister Leona Aglukkaq joined other federal officials Friday asking Spence to accept a meeting with Aboriginal Affairs Minister John Duncan, but Spence rejected the recommendation.
The government points to a meeting it held last January with First Nations leaders as proof it is serious about improving their relationship, and adds it has spent millions on aboriginal health, housing and education.
But aboriginal leaders say they are being left out of the discussion the Harper government is having about how best to develop Canada's lucrative natural resources.
Joe Clark, who was a Tory prime minister from 1979 to 1980, said friends of his in the First Nations community had suggested he meet with Spence, chief of a remote reserve in Northern Ontario.
"My experience has been that direct and honest dialogue is always useful and sometimes essential, particularly in dealing with issues as complex and multi-faceted as the relations between First Nations and Canada," he said in a statement.
"Chief Spence expressed a humble and achievable vision — one which I believe all Canadians can embrace."
Saturday, December 29, 2012
My Best Wishes For A Better Year In 2013
Chief of Attawapiskat, Theresa Spence made the decision to conduct a "hunger Strike" to protest the actions of the current Conservative Government and their unilateral decision making against her community and against all First Peoples of this great land.
Events (2012) Around Theresa Spence
Jan. 23/24: - Crown-First Nations gathering in Ottawa.
- Harper and Grand Chief Shawn Atleo exchanged starkly different opinions- They agreed on urgency and to have a report presented within one year
- Promises made on changes to Indian Act
Nov. 15: Grand Chief Shawn Atleo writes a letter to PM Harper and Aboriginal Affairs
Minister John Duncan on First Nations 'frustration'
Dec, 10: International Human Rights Day marked the beginning of Idle No More
movement
Dec. 10: 2:00 pm Press Conference with Theresa Spence
Dec. 11: 6:00 am Sunrise/Pipe Ceremony at Victoria Island, Ottawa
9:00 am Chief Spence of Attawapiskat stops eating solid food (hunger strike)
Dec. 11: Charlie Angus, MP, visits Spence in Ottawa
Dec. 14: The budget bill, Bill C-45 was passed 50 to 27 and is set to become law
Dec 18: Assembly of First Nations and Manitoba Keewatinowi Okimakanak
support Cross Lake Elder action for change
Dec. 26: Justin Trudeau visited with Theresa Spence on Boxing Day
"When our ancestors made treaties with the British Crown to allow the Queen's subjects to live in our territories, it was for as long as the sun shines, the water flows and the grass grows. The Crown's only legal access to our lands is contingent upon the fulfillment of the promises made in the negotiations of treaty."
Theresa Spence
"Idle No More" gathering at City Hall, Portage la Prairie, Man. Dec 28, 2012
INTERESTING THINGS FOR THE FUTURE ?
(courtesy of Gizmag Emerging Technology Magazine)
1) The bicymple : Sort of like a two-wheel unicycle.jpg)
The rear wheel can be used for steering the bicymple
2) Harvard researchers fold proteins with D-Wave quantum computer
Many were skeptical when, back in 2007, Canadian company D-Wave announced that it had built the world's first commercially viable quantum computer. Now a study published in the August issue of Nature's Scientific Reports co-authored by D-Wave and Harvard researchers proves the D-Wave One is the real deal.
***
Monday, December 24, 2012
LOOKING BACK - AND FORWARD
CARS
- Volkswagen Hover Car ( it travels above the ground - good for parallel parking ?)
Canada's Role In Space
- Canada's role from 1839 to 2012- Astronaut Chris Hadfield returns to space for a third time to become the first Canadian Commander of the International Space Station during the second half of his six-month mission.
- Canadian Space Ageny 2010 - 2012 news releases
Idle No More - Update
Groups of First Nations people have been joined by others as they hold a widespread series of protests carried out under the banner of "Idle No More". These totally non-violent gatherings and blockades across Canada are to bring attention to 14 pieces of legislation included in the federal omnibus Bill C-45, and have been going on for two weeks (although largely ignored by the media until recently).
There is an official page on Facebook as well as separate ones with current members as shown: Northern Manitoba (1100), Winnipeg (1680), Thunder Bay (3800), and Morley (1300).
Bill C-45 brings changes to the Indian Act that will fast-track the process for aboriginals to surrender their reserve lands by lowering the threshold of community consent needed to hand over territory. The legislation also includes clauses that will cut the number of federally protected waterways, potentially jeopardizing the lands they rely on and change environmental regulations. Most non-native Canadians will be directly or indirectly affected adversely by these changes. Typical activities (all nonviolent) have been:
* a demonstration on Parliament Hill late last week
* outside the Vancouver Art Gallery.
* a three-day-old blockade of the CN rail track in Sarnia, Ont.
* a round-dance flash mob organized at a mall in Portland, Ore.
* in a tent on an island in the Ottawa River
* a three-day-old blockade of the CN rail track in Sarnia, Ont.
* a round-dance flash mob organized at a mall in Portland, Ore.
* in a tent on an island in the Ottawa River
Chief Theresa Spence of Attawapiskat has been living in a teepee on Victoria Island, not far from Parliament Hill, since Dec. 11. She has vowed to continue her hunger strike until Prime Minister Stephen Harper and a representative of the Crown agree meet with her to discuss treaty rights and provisions of Bill C-45. So far PM Harper appears to be oblivious to the situation, although he has found time to meet with Justin Bieber and to play cribbage with a group of old people. There is at least one petition to PM Harper on her behalf if you wish to add your name.
TOO FUNNY FOR COMMENT
2) Tim Hortons has officially opened three kiosks in Iqaluit, meaning the iconic coffee and doughnut chain now has locations in every province and territory in Canada.
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