Good news. You can track worldwide expenditures on military on the World Clock.
The more we spend, the safer we are.
…. right ??
screenshot
World Clock – Peter Russell
Thanks Dave.
Category: miscellaneous
avoid IzyMail
Email is a disaster for many people. Really.
I’m trying to get out of the Hotmail / Entourage prison.
One option for the Mac user is something called IzyMail. Avoid at all costs. Trying that software, I managed to disable my hotmail completely. (It seems to be back up now.)
You can reach me by my preferred email address:
RickMcCharles@gmail.com
surreal – High Dynamic Range photography
This is cool.
For those of you that aren’t familiar with High Dynamic Range photography, it’s pretty neat. Basically you take several photos of the exact same scene using different exposure values. That way you get photos that have the darkest darks, and other with the lightest lights. Then you combine the photos (Photoshop even has an option for this) and presto, High Dynamic Range. A lot of the pictures turn out unworldly, and I think they look like they were rendered for a video game. …
Samples from Japan:
Click through for more: HDR Images Of Japan Are Beautiful, Stunning
new George Bush coinage
Thanks George.
Wii Wii Wii – spend, spend, spend
Henry thinks I need link to more “profitable” (for me) items on this blog. (I get about 4% of whatever cash you throw at Amazon.)
Worth a try.
I highly recommend you buy all these video games and accessories for your loved ones and pets. They should spend far more time gaming. Value-wise, these chosen by local experts are highly addictive. You’ll be getting good “edutainment” hours / dollar.
World of Warcraft Collector’s Edition
Time Crisis 4 (Includes Guncon 3)
Call of Duty 4: Modern Warfare
how to get a US Taxpayer Identification Number
You don’t want to know.
Unless you NEED to know. If so, email me.
A T.I.N. is not a Green Card. It’s not a Social Security number. But it’s the next best thing for a non-American.
It took me many, many hours to find out how to get one.
what kids think of Remembrance Day
A poem by one student:
We Thank You
The bagpipes hissing grieves of death
Some gone forever, lest we forget.
Acrid smells fill the air
Into the trenches if you dare.
Horror and fear
The gunshots near.
Running through drills,
Of mud and kill.
The blood-red petals,
The shiny medals.
To those who died,
I thank you from all of us.
Mary-Kate Cross, George Bonner Middle School
llustration by Kelsey MacGillivray, Cedar Hill Middle School
Shewchuks in Jamaica
Downtown Ronnie posted a few holiday pics on Facebook.
Kate was propositioned (or something) by these guys:
Ron Shewchuk’s Photos – Jamaica I
Banff Mountain Festival 2007, Oct 27 – Nov 4
I am planning to head out to Banff for the festival, my first time ever.
Though films are at the “heart of the festival”, there is much more happening. The Mountain Book events, for example. And the Adventure Trade Show for gear.
The 32nd annual Banff Mountain Film Festival, presented by National Geographic and New Balance, brings you the world’s best mountain films and speakers. Experience the adventure of climbing, mountain expeditions, remote cultures, and the world’s last great wild places — all brought to life on the big screen. …
Banff Mountain Festivals 2007 SCHEDULE
I am still trying to decipher the ticketing page. They need fewer options.
Email me, or leave a comment on this post, if you might want to meet me there. I will stay at the HI hostel.
UPDATE: Planning to stay in Banff Monday, Oct. 29th through Saturday Nov. 3rd.
Adventure Racing 101 – what have I got myself into?
Bill, Warren and Elaine have done some team Adventure Races over the past few years.
I’ve managed to avoid joining them.
Dundurn Navigation Marathon 2007 set – flickr – Warren Long
But it seems I’ve made a commitment to start-up with a bunch of newbies (mostly gymnastics coaches) from Idaho. We’re already pencilling-in a “sprint” for 2008.
A sprint is often 4 disciplines: mountain biking, trekking, kayaking and climbing over a total of 12-30 miles over inhospitable terrain. Races may include mystery challenges, such as archery, orienteering, Cauldron Crawl, Tyrolean Traverse, swimming, knot tying, rock wall climbing and puzzles.
It’s a bit intimidating looking at the recommended training regime:
Many of your races will start out with a run that turns into a hike or scramble, so you’d better be ready on all counts. Hiking and running muscles are very different, so you need to train both — and practicing scrambling (on as many different types of terrain as you can find, including wet, slippery stuff) is the key to gaining that competitive advantage on the roadies.
Training:
• For a race of 12 hours or less, you should follow a half marathon training plan, but do most of your runs on trails, if possible.
• For a race of more than 12 hours, you should follow a full marathon training plan and use the same guidelines.
• Start doing hill repeats (i.e. four to six sets of 80 percent effort on a hill that takes three to four minutes to run) and interval training (two-three-four-five minutes “on” with an equal amount of rest in the “off” phase) twice per week in the final month of training leading up to the race.Tips:
• Race and train in trail running shoes versus regular road running shoes. (Better grip, more stability, fewer stone bruises and fewer blisters.)
• Practice running/hiking with a 10-15 pound pack several times before your race, both for the strength benefits and the knowledge of your equipment (i.e. how are you going to get to your water? Food? Where is the most efficient place to store required gear for easy access? Does the pack grate you like cheese on your neck, back, arms?) …
GOD! It goes on and on: Paddling, Navigation, Mountain Biking, Climbing: Active.com – Adventure racing 101: A quick-start guide
Bottom line:
8 Essential Elements of Human Synergy
T Total commitment
E Empathy and awareness of teammates
A Adversity management
M Mutual respect
W “We” versus “I” thinking
O Ownership of the project
R Relinquishment of ego
K Kinetic leadership
Looks like FUN, at least.
source – flickr
Rick McCharles 