Snow

It was snowy this morning, so I snapped some shots on the way to work.

Sketch

Our office, despite being walking distance from Parliament Hill and close to the yuppy Glebe is located on what is somehow the sketchiest corner in downtown Ottawa - Bank & Cooper. We often hear arguments and fights outside, and sirens are a regular part of life. Now this is Ottawa sketchiness I must note, no shootings or muggings. Generally shirtless men yelling at each other (less shirtlessness in winter).

This weekend Bank & Cooper decided to ramp it up a notch, as I discovered from the Ottawa Sun cover this morning:


You can read the article here, it's quite entertaining. The internet cafe on the cover is the view I have out my office window

Random Photos

I had to go to Winnipeg last weekend to make a presentation, and this was the lovely view from my room at the airport Sheraton.




While Barb was in New York, Echo and I went for a hike in Gatineau Park.


This is Costco poutine. I didn't get a good perspective shot, and cannot emphasize just how huge this is.

'Tis better to have loved and lost...and found, and then lost again

A couple years ago my good friend and former co-worker Tanya gave me a pair of gloves knitted by her grandmother. Hopefully I didn't earn any bad karma by wearing gloves knit by another newfie grandma, but they were nice and warm and have served me well through several Ottawa winters.

The other day one of my gloves went missing and I had no idea where I lost it. On Wednesday, through some miracle, Barb found the glove, sitting on the outside ledge of a store window on Sussex Dr. Quite a lucky turn of events. Then, this morning, after my shower, I came down to this:


Echo seems to have hit the dog version of the terrible twos, or she's just frustrated from not being able to play for two weeks post-surgery. She has been chewing things all around, such as the Xmas ornament and tennis ball combination that caused her yakking last night.

Guess what I put in "class"

So, I was going to blog about how the dog puked 8 times last night, when I was informed my friends Mike Marin and Matt Cameron both have blogs now. Apparently no one has informed them that blogs are supposed to involve descriptions of drunken antics, questionable images, pictures of babies and puppies, swearing, and various things you would expect to see on a 12 year old's blog.

Seriously, is that a Socrates template on Mike's blog? Always outclassing me...

Optimus Primepod?

Optimus Prime (Ultra Magnus?) and the iPod together... at last?

Baby Video!

My Dad gave Elodie an alligator piano for Christmas. She's already more talented than me.

(Christmas) Baby Pics!

These are a bit late (but who can compete with Jo?), here are some baby pics from Christmas:

This baby eats Cheerios like they're goin' out of style. Who needs teeth?



Elodie and Dad.







For a tiny baby, she does a lot of this.



Pop's foot.



I could make a bald joke here...





FAO Schwartz bear from rich Uncle Toby

Nashed

Due to popular demand, the green is gone.

I never thought I'd post a Nike video, but I do this for two reasons:
(1) The song is awesome, and references Voltron. That's right, muthafuckin' Voltron.
(2) For Renee; this is the first time I've seen a bad-ass Steve Nash.



But yeah, still don't buy Nike.

Sad news

This doesn't really go with the flow of the blog today, but it's important. This weekend I found out that a colleague of mine from university passed away unexpectedly. Michael Jensen was only 29 years old. I didn't know Michael very well, but I wish I had. He was incredibly smart and kind. He had cerebral palsy but that didn't stop him from being one of the best debaters of politics at the U of C. He was an academic and we shared some of the same interests in political science. Michael was a passionate, active Liberal, something that takes a good deal of guts in Calgary. If you went to U of C you have probably met Michael, or you would at least recognize him.

I had the opportunity to talk to Michael briefly at the Liberal Convention last month. I've never run into him without him being happy and saying hello to me. I know a lot of people that were much closer to Michael than I was, and they must be devastated right now. It's still hard to believe that someone I am so used to seeing at university and political functions will no longer be there. If you did know Michael I encourage you to pass your condolences along to his family.

Michael Jensen

Michael A. Jensen, beloved son of Dorothy Dawe and Ian Jensen, passed away suddenly at the Rockyview General Hospital on Friday, January 12, 2007 at the age of 29 years.

Michael was born in Red Deer, AB on September 21, 1977. Although Michael became afflicted with cerebral palsy as an infant, he was ever determined to meet life's challenges head on. Always an honour student, in 1995 Michael was named a member of the Calgary Herald's Class Act upon his graduation from Ernest Manning High School. Michael went on to study at the University of Calgary, obtaining his Bachelor of Arts (with distinction) in 2000, and his Master of Arts in 2003. Michael's Masters Thesis, entitled "The Neoconservative Mind; the Legacy of Leo Strauss", was nominated for the Governor General's medal for academic excellence. At the time of his passing, Michael was completing his doctorate in Political Science at the University of Calgary. Michael was a talented writer and contributor to many publications, including the Calgary Herald, the University of Calgary Gauntlet Newspaper, FFWD Magazine, Ehgloo Magazine and the Canadian Journal of Political Science. Passionately interested in politics, Michael worked on numerous election campaigns as a policy advisor and was a member of the executive of the Calgary Nosehill constituency of the Federal Liberal Party of Canada. Michael was an equally passionate sports fan, particularly of hockey, baseball and curling. Michael's eternal optimism is perhaps best reflected by his devotion to his beloved Chicago Cubs, who haven't won the World Series since 1908. Known for his winning smile, his sometimes off-the-wall sense of humour, his generous nature and his gentle soul, Michael will be sadly missed by all who knew him.

Michael is survived by his loving parents, mother Dorothy Dawe (Barry Dommasch), father Ian (Joanne) Jensen; two sisters Natasha and Chelsea; his grandmother Rae Jensen and his aunts, uncles, cousins and many, many friends. He was predeceased by his grandparents Kai Jensen, G.H. (Harold) and Jean Dawe.

Those wishing to pay their respects may do so at McINNIS & HOLLOWAY'S Park Memorial Chapel (5008 Elbow Drive S.W.) on Monday, January 15, 2007 from 7:00 to 8:30 p.m. If friends so desire, in lieu of flowers, memorial tributes may be made directly to the University of Calgary , 2500 University Drive N.W., Calgary, AB T2N 1N4 for a future scholarship in memory of Michael.

Funeral Services will be held at Woodcliff United Church (5010 Spruce Drive S.W.) on Tuesday, January 16, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. with the Rev. Robert W. Mutlow Presider. Graveside Service to follow at Red Deer Cemetery in Red Deer, AB on Wednesday, January 17, 2007 at 2:00 p.m. Forward condolences through www.mcinnisandholloway.com.

In living memory of Michael Jensen a tree will be planted at Fish Creek Provincial Park by McINNIS & HOLLOWAY FUNERAL HOMES Park Memorial Chapel, 5008 ELBOW DRIVE S.W. Telephone: (403) 243-8200.

Ikea? I hardly knew her.

Went to Ikea yesterday and bought a good chunk of the furniture we've been living in desperate need of for quite some time. That cheap craigslist dining table ended up costing a lot of money. And how is it that when you're at Ikea they cast some sort of spell over you so you forget that $99 piece of furniture ends up taking like 4 hours of manual labour to put together? I still have 2 dressers and a chair to put together tonight. Hooray for Family Guy DVDs to pass the time.

The Japan video to end all Japan videos

If you took all the creepy moments from my entire time living in Asia, and put them together, you could not come close to how much this video will mess with your mind. Japan, I fear it's too late for you.

Snowledge

Wiktionary defines a blizzard as "a severe snowstorm, especially with strong winds and greatly reduced visibility." Don't know if today qualifies.

I tried to find a definition on the Environment Canada weather site, but could not. I did discover however, that they have a 1-900 weather line. I shit you not. Only in Canada.

Baby it's cold outside

Sitting at the new kitchen high-table listening to Gin Blossoms on the radio. It's snowing outside, which I normally enjoy, but this morning it makes me not want to leave. This mild early-winter has softened me (It's going to be -26 by Wednesday :( That's real winter!). Oh well, on with the gaiters and out the door...

The Ottawa wind cometh

I do not like the looks of this, though it's still not enough to freeze the canal.

iOMG

Warning, geek news:

At MacWorld today Apple announced a new phone/ipod/computer thing that is amazingly sweet. It's all screen and no buttons. Too expensive for me, but looks like awesomeness.

F-i-x-e-d

Just got back from a long walk with the dog - to Quebec and back! We have to take her to the vet tomorrow to get spayed. I know it's what you're supposed to do, but I can't help but feel guilty.

In other dog news, she has declared all-out war on her own tail, and any part of her body near it.

Barak Obama? Did we get him?

I shit you not, this ran on CNN.

Puddle Jumper

So, I tried to trick my dog into jumping into a giant puddle - yes, I do things like that. She showed me by jumping over it. Enjoy.

Khaaaaaaaaaaaan!

Am I the first to use that title? Huh? Am I?

Anyway, Wajid Khan has apparently defected to the Conservatives. "Who?" you say? Volpe backer, that's all you have to know.

With the cut in the GST, Stephen could finally afford that new cabinet

Thoughts on the new Cabinet:

I'm super stoked that Monte will be "our' new Minister. He's one of my favourite.

John Baird in Environment? Is the Conservatives only goal to piss off my friend Mike? Maybe John Baird will simply yell at global warming until it goes away.

Jason Kenney as Secretary of State for Multiculturalism. Write your own joke.

It's pretty sad that even Stephen Harper can resist increasing the size of Cabinet. Secretaries of state, yeah, those are necessary.

What do the Liberals think of the new cabinet? Nothing, according to their website.