Happy Canada Day, eh?
Tuesday, July 01, 2008
So it is July 4th for Canucks today. Everyone here makes fun of me because we seem to have copied American holidays (most of my ribbing comes during this calendar week and during October and November). My suggestion is: let's consolidate! Why not have Independence Day for North America, on the same day for both countries? With a common long weekend, we could actually do stuff together. And same for Thanksgiving. Who in Canada wouldn't want to watch football all day on a Thursday, and shop your ass off the next day? In Canada they could even extend the sports tradition to an outdoor NHL game... this seems to be turning into a very popular affair.
What spurred this post, though, is the exchange rate. Currently $1 USD = $0.993377 CAD. This is a "trend" that has stagnated around this mark for months. Is it time, once and for all, to make one common currency, much like the Euro has helped simplify trade overseas (well, at least in all of the countries that haven't refused to join the EU)? I think the idea has some merit, but I think the biggest barrier is how stubborn many people are. Americans won't want to risk having red, blue and purple bills, Canadians won't want to risk becoming the 51st state, and none of us will want to risk reaching European gas prices (what, $10-12/gallon now?).
I am sure this would generate plenty of, um, constructive criticism, but I still haven't fixed my comments feature, sorry.
Anyway, wherever your allegiances point, I hope you have a fun holiday this week.
Random ramblings
Sunday, June 29, 2008
Saw WALL-E last night; it was incredibly entertaining. The same Mac booting sound got the same round of laughs twice, but otherwise very creative and original. I guess it's what you should probably expect from big names like Pixar and Skywalker Sound; a budget of $120 million doesn't hurt either. But definitely worth seeing on the big screen. It beat out Wanted this weekend (see MSNBC story).
Watched Spain school Germany in the EURO 2008 finals. Good for Spain. That's what Germany gets for schooling Turkey, who I was really rooting for to make it to the finals. I still can't get over how all of these soccer players have turned into total drama queens. They trip over someone's leg, look at the ref, and if they see that they aren't going to get the call, they completely over-play what happened, and try to make it look like their leg was broken by a malicious tackle. Get over it and play the game, sallies!
And finally, I am catching up on all the DVR'd Wimbledon from this weekend. Why is Jimmy Connors no longer coaching Andy Roddick? He has beaten Nadal, Federer and Djokovic this year, but couldn't beat Tipsarevic. They showed his brother / coach several times during the match, but only after it was clear that Roddick was not the better player in the match... and I'm not sure if they were implying anything. After the match he said that he blinked in the big moments, and really there were only 3 points that I saw where he really set himself up for disaster. I was really happy for Roddick when I saw him win his U.S. Open title live... but I really think his chances of winning Wimbledon are dwinding away. Maybe skipping the Olympics will allow him to win the U.S. Open again. It was sad to see Blake lose too...
Suggested reading / listening
Tuesday, June 24, 2008
First, there is a lot of talk going on about these gas discounts being offered by various car manufacturers and other retailers. According to some writers, they are full of booby traps (see this MSNBC post). You should also check out an innovative idea by GasBank as well as their blog. Even if you are not game for this kind of movement, it is certainly interesting reading.
Another thing I wanted to point out is Microsoft's push toward a greener work environment, and a greener software company in general. You can read Buck Woody's post here and the official site (translated in marketese) here.
Seeing Dave Matthews Band at GreatWoods Tweeter Center Comcast Center this evening, in spite of pending thunderstorms.
Anyway, if you want to hear some MP3s from their show on June 4th, go here.
What's 23 tons between friends?
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
MSNBC and the BBC report that there was a major hashish seizure in Afghanistan; quite possibly the largest drug bust of all time. However, the two news agencies seem to disagree on the total amount of contraband: MSNBC says 260 tons, and BBC says 237 tons. My money is on the higher number, and that at least a couple of people involved in the event will suddenly have no need for their jobs and will be spotted driving Ferraris and Maseratis between their new mansions, the country club and the polo grounds. Funny that the weight can't actually be confirmed now, because the drugs were destroyed immediately. <church lady voice>How convenient.</church lady voice>
You tell 'em, Rob Lovitt!
Wednesday, June 11, 2008
Rob Lovitt wrote a great article about idiots driving while texting their friends, applying makeup, or petting the dog in their lap. What, these are distractions that can cause accidents? No sh*t!?!?
Amen, man. I sent a thank you for the piece, but added that most of the worst offenders who could learn from it probably can't read -- so it may be for nothing.
I complain about this every time I'm in the car (either by myself, or with someone who will tolerate my tirades). Nicole, for instance, asked me if this article was actually written by me, under a pen name. Or if she found my twin.
It has become quite easy while driving down the freeway to spot the drivers who are talking on the phone or reading the newspaper... they're the ones changing lanes abruptly without signaling, slamming on their brakes at the last second, and doing 50 in the passing lane while dozens of drivers are forced to pass them on the right (or stay behind them going 15 under). I look over at these people and, I'd say 9 times out of 10, they are distracted... I think the phrase I say more often than all others combined is, "On the phone. SHOCKER!"
SQLBlog : My biggest beef with RC0 so far
Friday, June 06, 2008
A quick call for votes on an issue I think is very important... viewing the query and the execution plan from the new Activity Monitor in SQL Server 2008 does not work.
SQLBlog : SQL Server has a new logo
Tuesday, June 03, 2008
A very brief post showing off SQL Server 2008's shiny new logo.
SQLBlog : More on the recent rash of SQL injection attacks
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Just referenced a couple of new blog posts that shed a bit more light on the SQL injection attacks that have been making the rounds, and some information on how to best defend yourself.
I will never ship UPS again...
Wednesday, May 28, 2008
A month ago I sent a $30 item to Matt, who works at the House of Commons in Ottawa. Because the package was oddly shaped, I decided to ship with UPS instead of regular mail. I will never make this mistake again.
Since House of Commons is technically a business, and because they have a UPS account, customs automatically intercepts any packages and applies duties etc. to it. Even though this particular package was marked as "GIFT" with a declared value of $30, it was apparently evaluated as commercial merchandise and at a value equal to the automatic insurance binder that UPS puts on all packages ($100). This means that Matt has to pay duty (and GST!) on a $30 gift, which would not have happened had I sent to his home address or had I sent anywhere via regular mail.
On top of that, the worst part is, the UPS company that handles the brokerage charged an additional $5 in communication fees, and an $80 "brokerage fee"... otherwise known as additional obnoxious delivery charge. So, Matt received an invoice for over $96 to receive a $30 gift. Nice huh?
And UPS is giving me the run-around; big shocker there. I spent two hours on the phone with them on Friday, and another hour so far this week, with no real progress to speak of.
When is Canada going to become the 51st state?
Are you wearing Bad Idea™ Jeans?
Saturday, May 24, 2008
I think companies are just starting to get the wrong idea. Or more and more companies are being bought by NRA members. There is a car dealership in Missouri, offering a unique incentive on new car purchases. Is it anything like Chrysler's new gas card, where you will not pay over $2.99 a gallon for three years? Well, kind of. In this case, you can get a $250 gas card. Or you can opt for a shiny new handgun instead. No lies. And according to the dealer, most customers are going for the gun. Ly believes they are taking the gun instead, so that they can rob gas stations... since that would be more profitable than the $250 gas card.
{ read the story }
Buyer Beware... but arm yourself with knowledge first!
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
My friend Alex, a class-action attorney in Manhattan, wrote a great 2-page story in the New York Daily News yesterday, where he gives some advice about how to NOT get screwed by manufacturers. Among other things, he explains that you can sometimes get them to listen to you even after your warranty expires, because their primary goal is still to keep you as a customer.
{ read the story }
SQLBlog : Are you (or is your team) nervous about SQL Server 2008?
Tuesday, May 20, 2008
After an incident at work, I am curious how many people out there are facing similar superstitions about waiting for Service Pack 1 of any Microsoft product.