Month: June 2011

Boston millionaires beat Vancouver millionaires!

On By Rick McIn humour, photos, sport - pro1 Comment

WHY are these two so oblivious to the great tragedy?

… Lying in the street and seemingly locked in a kiss as chaos erupts around them, a young couple appear oblivious to the charging crowds and baton-wielding riot police.

The photograph, taken amid Vancouver’s hockey riots, has been tweeted around the world. But the photographer who took it is still not sure what the picture really shows.

Canada-based photojournalist Richard Lam took the photograph while covering the riots that followed the Vancouver Canucks’ 4-0 loss to the Boston Bruins in the Stanley Cup. …

Vancouver riot ‘kiss’ photograph sparks mystery

Photograph: Rich Lam/Getty Images

If Windows 8 flops on phones and tablets, Microsoft’s future is very dim indeed.

On By Rick McIn Apple, GoogleLeave a comment

Ed Bott is a Microsoft fan boy extreme. I read his blog once-in-a-while just for laughs.

He can spin anything pro-MS.

Microsoft has been making money hand over fist in the current recession. That’s why I was so astonished to see Ed post this – As Microsoft’s monopoly crumbles, its mobile future is crucial

He’s right, of course.

Google and Apple just might crush all other competitors in mobile. Even Nokia is vulnerable.

Microsoft is gambling big on Windows 8.

… The company (Microsoft) can take some small encouragement in the fact that the overall share for mobile devices is still small. That means it’s possible to overcome the late start. Android proved that a newcomer can make a dent, going from zero (literally) to roughly a third of the share of iOS over the past two years. …

I finally saw one of the new Microsoft stores in California, by the way. Surprisingly well done. I was impressed.

my favourite animal is lamb chops

On By Rick McIn food, travel3 Comments

Dave Adlard would love Iceland.

Pretty much anywhere on the island you can reach out the car window and grab a lamb by its wooly nape.

photo by harrisj

… the breed is very cold-hardy. Multiple births are very common in Icelandic ewes, with a lambing percentage of 175% – 220%. A gene also exists in the breed called the Thoka gene, and ewes carrying it have been known to give birth to triplets, quadruplets, quintuplets, and even sextuplets on occasion. …

Here’s that same lamb (the one on the right) I later enjoyed in Reykjavík. Like Mark Zuckerburg, I like to look my lunch in the eyes before chomping.

I was treated to this feast by gymnastics coach / judge Gummi Brynjólfsson.

New Zealand has a lot of sheep, but almost all is exported. Iceland seems to keep a few of theirs for the platter.

This island nation has about 450,000 sheep, 300,000 people and 500,000 (2008) tourists.

lamb and ham …

On By Rick McIn food, travel1 Comment

It’s breakfast in funky Reykjavik, a lamb & ham sub at 3pm.

In the Iceland of the Midnight Sun, day and night become fairly irrelevant.

Enjoying a lazy Sunday off, I’m still pondering whether or not to hike over to the ‘hot pots’ for a soak.

Tomorrow morning I’m contemplating a Puffin McMuffin breakfast before heading back out trekking.

They eat Puffin and Minke in Iceland, don’t you know.

making friends in Iceland

On By Rick McIn travel1 Comment

One of the best things about traveling alone is the increased opportunity to meet new people, especially the locals.

Here’s my new pal from Akureyri.


What … you’ve never heard of Akureyri ?!

The ‘capital of North Iceland’.

… You are so unworldly.

girl with the dragon tattoo

On By Rick McIn books2 Comments

I’m in a cold, stark land.

The women are pretty, serious and tall. The men dour smokers. And tall.

It’s time I finally got around to trying the Stieg Larsson novel.

…One Reykjavík woman sums up the Icelandic psyche.