Sunday, July 29, 2007

Chocolate sculpture

Oh my goodness, this is so fantastic!

http://pingmag.jp/2007/07/27/sweat-designs-with-cocoa-in-mind/
Visit this site. Beautiful sculptures made of chocolate.

Wednesday, July 25, 2007

Distributor - Organic & Fair Trade

I am having an ongoing adventure learning about fair trade and importing, distribution and sales. Loads of fun.

I look forward to sharing dulce de leche con mis amigos!

Interrupcion

Thursday, July 19, 2007

Scientists solve Checkers...I still have a ways to go

U of A Professors have proved that they can beat any human being in Checkers


Chinook Proof

You can even play Chinook
Alberta researchers solve checkers

SHANNON MONTGOMERY

Canadian Press

July 19, 2007 at 2:54 PM EDT

EDMONTON — It's taken dozens of computers humming away for almost 18 years, but a University of Alberta team has finally solved every possible game of checkers and concluded that as long as no mistakes are made, the game will end in a draw.

The popular game may be simple to play, but it holds a potential 500 billion billion positions. That's one million times more complicated than any other game solved before, says Jonathan Schaeffer, the computer science professor who began the project in 1989.

“In hindsight, it was ludicrous. Why tackle something a million times bigger?” said the wiry-haired academic. “Maybe there's a little bit of craziness there.”

Monday, July 16, 2007

A conversation on the street - Buerger's Disease

I never would have asked him if he wasn't on the street: "what happened to you?"
He told me his story tonight and a bit about his family. I gave him some money and returned home.
It was one of the better conversations I have had recently. What a life he has led!
He has lost some appendages and doesn't play the guitar anymore.

I wasn't sure what to believe but he said he had burger's something...well that is what I thought I heard. But he was actually saying BuErger's disease, which cuts off the blood flow to parts of the body which hurts like hell and can lead to gangrene and eventually amputation (23 times in his case).

Here is some information about Buerger's Disease and a website of a guy who got it really early. I hope that I am not exploiting a man that I met on the street. I hope that he can at least appreciate that he had an impact on another human being.

Wikipedia: Buerger's disease
Brandon Carmichael has Buerger's disease

And a lesson...
You know how in the movies they slam beer bottles and guitars onto people, well my buddy one time snuck up on his friend and slammed a guitar (acoustic) onto her head. It broke and twanged like nobody's business. She recovered and joked, "you always wanted to do that."
I hope that everyone can find someone who will understand the importance of slamming guitars onto other people, just to hear the sound. Not that I would ever do it...

Thursday, July 12, 2007

Paul Potts an opera singer for today and tomorrow

Yes Paul Potts rocks. Enjoy the opera. Tim enjoys a good portion of Paul Potts!

Paul's Official site
Awkward interview with a performance on NBC Morning Show...Meredith Viera we love you but chill out...
Moreover, Paul wins

Tuesday, July 10, 2007

Zambian workers, Chinese bosses

What if Canada got everything right in CSR, but our companies couldn't compete with other country's companies? Is this just a way of hiding behind the old excuse of "Johny doesn't have to make his bed, why do I?"

I may come up with an actual answer to this but I thought I would just point out two examples that raise the issue:
from the BBC: BBC - Zambia miners 'see little reward' By Orla Guerin BBC News, Zambia

from the Talisman Sudanese controversy:
Sudan divestment / Student action: Standnow in the US and Stand Canada
More info on CSR, Genocide and activism at Corpobligation.com

Monday, July 09, 2007

Bluesfest - Manu Chao, Spearhead, White Stripes

The greatest music I have ever heard. Can't say enough about these bands. Jack White is a genius on the guitars and rocked the blues this Sunday in Ottawa at Bluesfest. I also got down to the celtic music of Leahy.
The political messages of peace, love and understanding were clear and received well by the crowd. It was fun to feel a sense of hope and community as we cheered on activists and artists: Manu Chao, Spearhead and Sarah Harmer. Keep on rocking in the free world!

Friday, July 06, 2007

Sustainability standards


I look forward to delving deeper into this website:
Sustainable Measures. Take a look if you like.

Wednesday, July 04, 2007

Another use for a Burka!


Head of Pakistan's Red Mosque captured

ZEESHAN HAIDER

Reuters

July 4, 2007 at 4:30 PM EDT

ISLAMABAD — The head of a radical Pakistani mosque at the centre of a bloody stand-off with security forces was arrested on Wednesday while trying to escape clad in a woman's burka, officials said.

http://www.theglobeandmail.com/servlet/story/RTGAM.20070704.wmosk0704/BNStory/International/home

Happy independence day USA - It's hard to be a Muslim on the 4th of July!

Humour, music, religion, understanding...



You can support Tommy Wallach
Buy his CD at Buy CD

Sunday, July 01, 2007

Rickshaw injury / hiatus


I regret to inform the fans that a rib bruise/break has sidelined men for the next few days. This will allow me to go further into debt and to spend more time on activism. Keeping my eye on the bright side. wink and groan...boo
Stay tuned for pictures of the rickshaw!