Anthony Calvillo & co., living it up

Yeah, I’d call that a choke. The Saskatchewan Roughriders blew a 27-11 fourth quarter lead, falling to the Montreal Alouettes 28-27 in tonight’s Grey Cup on a 33-yard Damon Duval field goal as time expired. I’m guessing this one’s a little hard to take for Regina natives, because from what I understand, the CFL is pretty much their lives.

In the end, the team that was by far the most dominant in the league this year came out on top. Sure, they got some help from an inept Rider squad late, but that’s why they play the full 60 minutes. Avon Cobourne, whose three-yard score midway through the fourth pulled Montreal within eight, picked up MVP honours. I’ll check back in with more on this one tomorrow.

Genre: Racer
Untergenre: Simulation

Preis: Vollpreis
Preisleistung: Sehr Gut

Spielspaß: 88%
Sound: 95%
Grafik: 86% (Fehlt Bewegung im Hintergrund…)
Langzeitmotivation: 92%
Umfang: 97%

Singleplayer: 94%
Multyplayer: 90%
XBox Live: 91%

92% Darkwertung
Top Game

97th Grey Cup

The 2009 CFL Grey Cup will feature the Montreal Alouettes and the Saskatchewan Roughriders . Montreal (15-3) and Saskatchewan (10-7-1) will be meeting for the first time in the Grey Cup as both teams  finished atop there respective divisions this year which earned both teams a first round bye in the playoffs. The Als and Riders then took advantage of home field in their respective Conference Final games.

The East Final was a rout in the Als’ favour, as they continued to show their dominance this year with a 56-18 thumping at the expense of the B.C. Lions. Anthony Calvillo was lights out, as he threw for five touchdowns in the game, which ties his career-high mark.  In front of a sold-out crowd at Olympic Stadium, the win was never at risk for the Als as they took advantage of a Lions team that looked sluggish and didn’t seemed to have a chance of winning.

The Saskatchewan Roughriders’ 27-17 win over the Stampeders wasn’t as easy. The Stampeders, looking to win there 2nd consecutive Grey Cup took an early 10-0 lead but could not match the Riders momentum after they got on the board. Saskatchewan QB Darian Durant threw for 204 yards and three touchdowns as he started to take control of the game. It was the first West Final hosted by Saskatchewan since 1976 and they made sure the home town fans had something to cheer about.

The Als will be making their 7th appearance in the Grey Cup this decade while only having one Grey Cup to show for it, that coming in 2002. The Riders will be making there 2nd appearance in three years at the Grey Cup. The Als head into the Grey Cup as heavy favourties after posting the best record, best offense, and best defence in the league. To add insult to injury, the Als went 2-0 vs the Riders this season.

That being said, with this just being a one game playoff anything can happen. We’ve seen some great Grey Cups over the years and expect another this year. The Als have been too good all year to let this season get away and I expect them to win 27-24. All you bookies can start making your spreads.

If you truly want to feel Canadian on the 29th grab your nachos and beer, sit back  and relax while watching Canada’s Big Dance. If the game doesn’t rock, Blue Rodeo sure will.

This one’s for GrumpyAmbulanceDriver, following an argument we had in a pub with a pre-clinical medical student (so obviously an expert in pre-hospital care) over the usefulness of drugs vs good BLS in cardiac arrest (guess which one each side argued in favour of?)…

Tom B at Prehospital 12 Lead ECG (if you’re an ECG geek, this is great fun) notes a review of use of medication in an out-of-hospital arrest:

[A] large randomized trial found that giving IV drugs like epinephrine and atropine in the setting of out-of-hospital cardiac arrest made it more likely that patients would be admitted to the hospital but little difference in whether they survived to discharge. That outcome was in spite of their undergoing resuscitation longer and receiving more defibrillations, and more often reattaining a spontaneous circulation, compared with another group that didn’t receive IV drugs during arrest.

From the JAMA:

Of 1183 patients for whom resuscitation was attempted, 851 were included; 418 patients were in the ACLS with intravenous drug administration group and 433 were in the ACLS with no access to intravenous drug administration group. The rate of survival to hospital discharge was 10.5% for the intravenous drug administration group and 9.2% for the no intravenous drug administration group (P = .61), 32% vs 21%, respectively, (P<.001) for hospital admission with return of spontaneous circulation, 9.8% vs 8.1% (P = .45) for survival with favorable neurological outcome, and 10% vs 8% (P = .53) for survival at 1 year. The quality of CPR was comparable and within guideline recommendations for both groups. After adjustment for ventricular fibrillation, response interval, witnessed arrest, or arrest in a public location, there was no significant difference in survival to hospital discharge for the intravenous group vs the no intravenous group (adjusted odds ratio, 1.15; 95% confidenceinterval, 0.69-1.91)

The non-scientist friendly review is here, the article itself here. I’ll leave you with the conclusions of the review:

The message for emergency providers is that, for now, the cornerstones of optimal cardiac resuscitation include high-quality cardiopulmonary resuscitation with minimal interruptions for anything, including any drug administration, and early defibrillation.

Recording artists of all stripes are banding together in support of singer-songwriter Eric Lowen — of his renowned duo with Dan Navarro, LOWEN & NAVARRO — as well as organizations united in the fight against ALS (Lou Gehrig’s disease). Artists such as Jackson Browne, Keb’Mo, John Ondrasik (Five for Fighting) and The Bangles have recorded Lowen & Navarro tunes for the tribute record Keep The Light Alive: Celebrating the songs of Lowen & Navarro.

Award-winning songwriter, Eric Lowen, was diagnosed with ALS over five years ago. Setting an example for us all, Eric has continued to work tirelessly on his music, recording, writing and until recently, even performing. Now Eric’s friends and peers have united to pay tribute to Eric and others who suffer from this life taking disease.

“Keep The Light Alive” has become a meeting place of tribute, hope and love.

Jackson Browne — Weight of the World
John Ondrasik (of Five for Fighting) — Keep the Light Alive
Keb’ Mo’ — If You Loved Me Like That
The Bangles — We Belong
Severin Browne — Open Your Heart
Joel Rafael — Old Riverside
Andy Chase — You Stay On My Mind
The Refugees — Compass Point
Freebo — I Don’t Believe in Yesterday
Eddie from Ohio — Just to See You
Phil Parlapiano — Opposite of Everything
Charlie Wadhams — Cold Outside
Stonehoney — If I Was the Rain

ω

When I look into the mirror, I see the same eyes, But I see an outside me that’s like a disguise.

Still I cannot fight what other eyes see. What I’ve always been is still inside of me.

Nothing has changed from my point-of-view, Even if I can’t do things like I used to do.

Something wicked is defeating my age, And I don’t have the strength to express my rage.

Nevertheless, my brain is okay. As my body gets weaker and weaker each day.

I wish you’d remember me the way that I was. When I lived my life like everyone does.

Don’t talk to me like I’m just a tot; My body is sick. My inside is not.

I’m feeling alone here while I’m sick, But even now I like a good flick.

Bring one by to watch it with me, Or we could just sit and watch some TV.

Maybe you could read some Scripture aloud. By comforting me, I know God would be proud.

I need you, Friend, though I cannot ask, For this illness is such a challenging task.

Please rest assured, I don’t have the plague. Tell me your memories of me aren’t that vague.

The outside is different; I know what you see, But I’m still the same on the inside of me.

There are a lot of “tools” that go into the art and design process.  Paint, pencils, brushes, mouse buttons, fingertips, music, etc, etc, etc.  But how about your eyes?  Isn’t that tool #1, aside from your brain?

The eyes, (Tool #1) is finally getting some technologic attention these days and it’s brought a tear to mine.  Let me introduce to you Mr. Tony Quans a.k.a. the legendary LA graffiti artist TEMPTONE.

Tempt, suffering from Amyotrophic Lateral Sclerosis (ALS), is a phenomenal artist.  But the disease has left him completely paralyzed…except for his eyes.  A new advancement in technology named, “Eye Writer” has enabled art to be projected anywhere solely by the mapping of eye movements.  Art is classified as an individuals contribution to society and the developers behind the Eye Writer are making sure complete paralysis doesn’t stop people like Tempt from making their contribution.  If you’d like to find out more, visit Eye Writer Initiative or check out the following articles; The Eye Writer – F.A.T., Eye Writer Allows Man To Paint Despite Paralysis and a collection of videos by Evan Roth.

In 2003, graphic artist Tony Quan, aka Temptone, was diagnosed with Amyotrophic lateral sclerosis, also known as Lou Gehrig’s disease.
The disease causes cells in the brain and spinal cord to die, first affecting voluntary muscle cells and then  involuntary cells. The symptoms of ALS start with slight twitching of the limbs, because motor neurons are dying, and then move into serious symptoms of paralysis.

For an artist, the inability to communicate through their work is devastating but for Tony Quan, he is going beyond the use of hands to draw.

The EyeWriter project, a collaboration between Tony, Free Art and Technology (FAT), OpenFrameworks and the Graffiti Research Lab, is developing software that will help people to draw with the movement of their eyes.

Here is some work that Temptone has created so far

I’m really excited to see this technology kick off! Good luck to the EyeWriter Project!

(Thanks to Angela Shetler for passing the story along)

Without a doubt the coolest most innovative invention I’ve read about and seen this year is the EyeWriter, a device that is currently being used to help one person diagnosed with ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease)–a disease that causes paralysis–create art. The wearer sports a pair of cheap sunglasses with a micro CCD camera that tracks the the eyeball. The “rig” is hooked to a computer and is used to generate the picture in the wearer’s mind through the eye movements.

This could be the first in a series of stepping stones to come that will drive DIY augmented reality systems. Sure we’ve heard of similar eyeball tracking devices that let users do certain things in the past, but what make this project absolutely incredible and forward look is that it was cheap; it was devised by artists looking to help a fellow artist (The notorious graffiti artist Tempt1; afflicted by ALS); it was DIY with easily accessible components; and they’ve opened the project up to EVERYONE.

If they’ve taught us anything our friends at Google have illustrated how opening up code, specifications and documentation can ultimately make better products in the future. The EyeWriter is no exception to that now founded rule.

The hardware was made from a pair of cheap sunglasses, a micro CCD cam, and and some IR LEDs. The instructions and plans to build your own are here.

The software is made up of two parts: Eye-Tracking Software & Eye-Writing Software. The software for both parts was developed using Open Frameworks, and all the EyeWriter project source code is available here.

The EyeWriter project is truly an innovation in terms of teaching those who think that the bar of accessibility to achieve great technology and deliver useful tools is too high. This is the kind of Macgyver-ism our world needs today. Something that delivers technological, and social benefits while remaining available to all.

The team at EyeWriter encourage your to build your own, modify theirs, and show them what you’ve done. There’s a wealth of stunning videos of Tempt1 using the system, and instructionals to set you on your path at www.eyewriter.org

Accessible augmented reality, here we come.

–

Sandeep Panesar is an information technology consultant who serves as CEO and President of Montreal based SSO. The company specializes in development and implementation information security and information technology solutions. Visit www.sso.ca to learn more.

The Senate approved a bill Thursday 11/19/09, to provide benefits to certain disabled veterans and their caregivers after rejecting an amendment by Sen. Tom Coburn, OK. who had been blocking action on the measure.

It is important to remember this is not out of character for Tom Coburn. It was Tom Coburn who so famously and cavalierly turned his back on one of his own constituents, a woman weeping in his town hall meeting and begging for help, when he told her that government cannot help her. He told her, and everyone else, that she (and everyone else) must turn to the aid of her friends and neighbors in their hour of need, because government cannot help them.

Fortunately, the people of Sugar Hill, New Hampshire didn’t need someone like Tom Coburn to encourage them to answer that call. They were way ahead of him. This small town of about 600 people has raised over thirty thousand dollars to help with his care and to support their beloved Chief of Police and his family. Note, I did not say “former” Chief of Police. It’s been three years since José Pequeño was injured, but Sugar Hill refuses to replace him. Out of respect for José Pequeño, Sugar Hill leaves his chair vacant.

You may remember Sen. Tom Coburn as the good doctor who held the ALS Registry Act for six months causing huge delays in data farming.

Senator, patriotism does not stop because of your re-elect campaign.

Saturday morning I sat in Mc’Donalds having breakfast with a wonderful hot cup of coffee.  I have always liked my coffee decorated with a little cream and sugar.  ALS had made my fingers so weak that doing a simple task like opening a sugar packet was a real challenge.  As I struggled with the sugar packet I had a flash back of an old Candid Camera episode.  Mr. Allen Funt had sugar packets made from a material that even the healthiest person could not tear open.  The scene took place at a breakfast counter with a poised colored man who was about to be one of many Candid Camera victims.  The man tugged and tugged at the packet, looked around to see if anyone was watching and continued to tug. Next he held the packet up to the light examining and confirming a little paper packet was not going to get the best of him.  He tried again with no success and became very anxious to fix the problem and wanted only to get on with his coffee.  He looked both directions to see if anyone was watching and without hesitation dropped the whole packet into his cup of coffee.  At that point Allen Funt came out and approached the man with this question, “Excuse me but did I just see you put that sugar packet in your coffee “?  His rapid reply was, “Yeah man, I always do it this way”! That was the coolest man I ever saw on camera and I will never forget his strong witty reply.

Just like that candid camera star, I turned around to see if anyone was watching me and very slowly placed the sugar packet in my coffee.

Kind of slim pickings this week, but I did find some good ones including a couple tasty recipes.

- Remote Controlled Lawnmower – Now this is how to make lawnmowing fun! Pimp it out a bit and in no time you’ll have the neighbor kids begging to mow your lawn.
- Write With Your Eyeballs! – All right! This is like the uber device for the physically impaired (or the ultimate lazy). It tracks your eye movements so you can do things on your computer, including drawing and writing. From a store such a system might cost you a few thousand, but this Instructable says you (or a friend) can do it for about $50.
- Eggplant Parmesan – I thought I’d throw a recipe in here. I’m not a vegetarian, but I do enjoy eggplant. I’ll have to try this one out.
- Grilled Eggplant Sandwiches – Speaking of yummy eggplant, here’s another tasty looking recipe, but I think I’ll try it with some bacon or maybe some thin-sliced turkey. Mmm, that’s sounds tasty.
- Flexible LED eTextile Ribbon Array – For those who are confused by the name, here’s the translation: Make glowing clothing with ribbon and LEDs. Make sure to check out the last step for a really awesome dress that they made.

POLLYANNA COWGIRL RECORDS PODCAST

SHOW #52

November 18, 2009

Direct Link to Mp3:

http://m.podshow.com/media/17171/episodes/197815/pcowpodcast-197815-11-17-2009.mp3

Podcast Feed:

http://www.mevio.com/feeds/pcowpodcast.xml

Song 01: DIRTY ON PURPOSE – “Your Summer Dress” 

Song 02: PREFONTAINE – “Stupid Beneath Myself” 

Song 03: RUSSELL KILBEY – “Tara” 

Song 04: DEASTRO – “The Shaded Forests” 

Song 05: PAPERCUTS – “Future Primitive” 

Song 06: MARCHING BAND – “For Your Love” 

Song 07: THE LIFE THERE IS – “Garrie” 

Song 08: PLUS MINUS – “Unsung” 

Song 09: TRACY REDHEAD – “Where It Fits” 

Song 10: AFTER TOUCH – “Mr. Sunshine” 

Song 11: TECHNOIR – “Manifseto” 

Song 12: PRETTY POP feat. FRAU – “Seaside Solution” 

PLEASE SUPPORT THE ALS CHARITY CD FOR PATIENT CARE AND RESEARCH, “SONGS FOR JENNY” @ WWW.SONGSFORJENNY.COM 

 ALL THINGS TONY PUCCI @ WWW.TONYPUCCI.COM  

 “DIGGING FOR MUSIC YOU’LL DIG!” @ WWW.POLLYANNACOWGIRL.COM

 ONE MAN’S PERSONAL/ARTISTIC JOURNEY @ WWW.FATALINTERVIEW.COM  

(promos played in this week’s show): 

NERD HURDLES @ WWW.NERDHURDLES.COM    

 THE ICE PODCAST @ WWW.THEICEPODCAST.COM

Town of Ellenburg Public Hearing on the 2010 Preliminary Budget

Present: Supervisor James McNeil, Councilors Gary Bombard, Gerald Peets, Curtis DeCoste and Alan Thibeau and visitors.

Supervisor McNeil opened the meeting and led the Pledge of Allegiance. Roll call attendance was taken by the Clerk. Mr. McNeil informed that this meeting is held as a Public Hearing on the 2010 Preliminary Budget, duly published in the town newspaper: the Plattsburgh Press Republican. The advertisement was read aloud by the Supervisor.

The supervisor announced there will be some additions and changes. Budget items were reviewed. Under the General fund A7310.1. Youth Director Stephen Chilton recommends that the personnel item be changed to the original amount of $4,200, from the Preliminary Budget amount of $5,200. This was approved. Town justice contractual amount, A1110.4, was increased to $5,000 from $4,000. Under the highway fund, health insurance, D9050.8, was increased $5,000 to $55,000. The highway unexpended balance of $140,000 was adjusted to $120,000.

Special districts budgets were reviewed. Ellenburg Depot Fire District’s 1010 budget indicates appropriations of $140,000: an increase of $14,800 toward district expenses totaling $30,460 and an increase of 410,000 toward fire protection contractual expenses, totaling $98,540. The supervisor commented that fire protection contracts are paid by the Town of Ellenburg residents. Discussion was held. Councilor Thibeau related areas covered by fire protection contracts. A letter from Chairman of Commissioners Russ Bilow was read aloud, informing that Ellenburg Depot Fire District #21 expects to convert from basic EMS to ALS. Councilor Thibeau commented that there was a large increase in contract taxes last year; costs this years should be by the district. Supervisor McNeil requested that town councilors present him with a written opinion, by Monday, November 9, regarding the Ellenburg Depot Fire District’s proposed fire protection contract with the Town of Ellenburg.

The supervisor offered a time for open discussion regarding the 2010 Town of Ellenburg Budget. Mr. Richard Pearson, spoke on fire district’s Advanced Life Support (ALS), asking how much is paid as an increase. Mr. Pearson said the wind towers pay more of the fire district’s tax increases. questioned: status of the Depot’s ALS. Ans. They are awaiting certification. Mr. Person questioned the town’s highway superintendent requirement to attend Town Council meetings. Councilor Bombard reported that he checked today with Attorney Favreau concerning this question. Attorney Favreau advised that the superintendent needs to present his budget and does not need to attend the meeting. The attorney said the Town Council may require the superintendent’s attendance at meetings (sic in original, corrected here), James McNeil moved that the Public Hearing be closed. Gary Bombard seconded the meeting; all in favor. The meeting adjourned at 6:30 p.m.

Minutes prepared by Thelma LaBombard, Town Clerk

In a relationship, there is nothing more important than just spending time together. Yet it sometimes seems to be the most difficult thing to do.With all of our commitments and responsibilities, it can be very difficult to find time to just relax together and have a little fun. However, it can be the single most important thing we do. Especially when times are tough.

We are all over-committed – that’s the American way. We wind up there ‘in the pursuit of happiness’ and forget what true happiness is. If we would just drop all the responsibilities for one night – skip the soccer games, networking on Facebook, the extra work to make ends meet, scouts, etc. – and just hang out together, we would all be a lot happier.

So before Thanksgiving, I challenge each and every one of you to take time with your family and truly enjoy them. Get to know them again – without the TV – and you will find you just had the best night you’ve had in a long time.

Last night we watched a new show, Three Rivers. We missed the first five minutes, but apparently it takes place in a major hospital in the transplant department. Within minutes I was hooked.

Mandy Patinkin guest starred on last night’s episode, a performance that should definitely garner him an Emmy. He was awesome. He played the part of a patient who was slowly dying from ALS (Lou Gehrig’s Disease) and had been involved in a car crash. To summarize, there was some internal damage that meant he would have to live what was left of his life on a ventilator, having the machine breathe for him, essentially losing what little mobility he still had.

I have never knowingly met anyone who had this insidious disease, but Mandy was totally believable in this role. He brought the character to life. His character decided that he did not want to live that way any more. That he wanted his death to mean something. ALS was not going to be the victor here. He decided to donate his organs to those in need. His daughter wanted to block it, he was her father and she didn’t want him to die. But soon his heart was spoken for, then his lungs, his kidneys – many people’s lives would be changed due to his selfless gift.

In a very poignant moment you see the doctor asking the patient to sign the organ transplant release – something that is generally done by the family of the person that has passed and is making a gift of their loved one’s organs.

He was being kept alive artificially by the ventilator. Without the vent he would be dead. He died on his own terms – giving life and quality of life to others. He didn’t let the ALS win. As they wheeled him off to the Operating Room to begin the harvesting of the organs, he seemed so at peace. It was so emotional – his daughter saying goodbye, all the families of the patients that were to receive his organs were lining the halls as he went by. I was sobbing so hard at this point – poor KoD’s shirt got totally tearstained!

But is it morally and ethically right for a dying person to decide when to die? They portrayed a discussion between the doctors and the ethics committee and a vote on whether they were going to allow the patient to terminate his own life on these terms. The vote was overwhelmingly in favour of him being able to choose.

On the one hand I am against any type of euthanasia – life and death is all in God’s hands, it’s up to Him to decide. But this man was put on a ventilator, and without it he would have died. How do we know whether it was the right thing to do or not, to put him on a vent? Maybe his time would have been up without the vent and by putting him on the vent they were just prolonging his life unnecessarily. But then again. on the other hand, he was dying, it was just a matter of months if not weeks. He wanted his death, that was going to happen anyway, to mean something. Shouldn’t he have that choice?

What about the surgeon who opened him up to take his heart? Did he actually technically kill him? How can a doctor knowingly partake in a surgery like this knowing his patient was going to die under his knife? Even if the medical ethics committee signed off on it?

While the show moved me more than any show in recent history, it left me very confused about who was right in this.

Please, share your thoughts. I would just like to add that we all know that this is a contentious issue, but please comment politely and do not attack people of differing opinions. If anyone knows the Halacha on this issue, please do not hesitate to share.

It is the time of year to reflect on the past 12 months and give thanks for everything you have and everything that has happened. So here is my list of things that I am thankful for (in no particular order).

I am thankful:

- that I have a roof over my head
- that I have a car to drive
- that I have food in my home and don’t go hungry
- that I have a wonderful son who does well in school and helps me out around the house
- that I have a good man by my side who loves me and takes care of me when I need it
- that I have a good, loving family who is always there for one another
- that I have a mom who would do just about anything for me
- that I have friends who are always there for one another and would do just about anything for me
- that my first book is in print and the second is ready to go in to print
- that my boyfriend’s family is just around the corner and are like family to me too
- that I have been able to reconnect with a lot of old friends
- that I am healthy
- that I get to talk to all the people I love and care about
- that right now, I have enough

There are many, many other things that I am thankful for…but I will end here today. Maybe on Thanksgiving Day I will post more.

Take a moment sometime this month and think about all the things that you are thankful for.