Dagens bilde…
Bare et lite kose bilde av Fido, han elsker næmlig å ligge på rygg når han koser. Samtidig som han viser fram hele hærligheten hans som han selv mener at er…

Arma er min og de labbene lengre ned er Bobby sine..

Bobby stakkars er ikke så glad for å bli tatt bilde av med blitzen på. Den er litt skarp…..

Da hjelper det med litt skjønnhetspleie for øyene. Litt realex for øyene er tingen…..

…did ya?  Hmm?

I did.  She was in Fido.  She’s really super cute, and she doesn’t seem ditzy.  That was actually kind of refreshing.

More importantly, I sat at the same table as Shauna, and we had a lovely time.  I like that girl.  She’s definitely not ditzy, and is super cute as well.

This weekend was nice.  I had to spend four hours observing massages yesterday, which would be a weird thing to do under any other circumstances.  I got kind of excited, though, thinking that I was going to get to do this for a living.  I hope I get a good placement when I graduate.  I’m not even sure exactly what direction I want to take it; my ideal would be having my own practice, but I know that’s a ways off.  I think I’d like to work for a chiropractor.  Maybe a spa.  Or maybe I could rent a booth somewhere like hairstylists do.  Dunno.

Yesterday, also, I took Dorian to meet Charley and Delgado, who as you may remember are my friend Leeann’s dogs.  (As in, the friend I was house/dogsitting for when I set off the alarm that time–remember?)  Why in the world would we force a crazy encounter such as that?  Well…looks like I’m moving again.  I can’t afford rent anymore, plain and simple.

This, as you might imagine, was a hard realization.  One of my biggest freakouts when I got laid off was the thought of having to leave my little apartment.  It’s nothing special—pretty run-of-the-mill as far as one-bedrooms go—but I’m kind of attached to it.  I managed to make some pretty unique memories here in just over a year.  It’s a perfect little space for Dor and me.

It was also terrifying, on one level, to ask a friend if I could live with them for a while.  I’m a good friend—I think—but I don’t really have any way to gauge how good I am to live with; and, even the best of friends can become a thorn in the flesh when in too close proximity for too long.  Leeann has steadily become one of those that I value the most over the past 3+ years—ever since that fateful night at the Gram Parsons documentary—and as such, I was all the more reluctant to rock the boat.  She’s like me—she does well on her own, and she lives on her own for a reason.

She’s also very approachable and charitable in her approach to just about everything in her life, and it would seem that that includes friendship—and her poor, always-about-to-be-unemployed friend Holly.  Not so terrifying after all, actually; in fact, once she said yes, it kind of made all the sense in the world.  So, at least for a few months, she and her boys are opening their home to me and my little boy, and I couldn’t be more thankful.

Speaking of those boys, their meeting could have gone a lot worse; we have a little work to do, though.  Any advice on cohabiting cats and dogs is welcome.  We were able to at least discern that they wouldn’t attack each other, but Dorian is NOT amused by the natural, enthusiastic curiosity of doggies and did not hesitate to defend himself.  Her place is big enough, though, that we’ll most likely be able to keep them separate most of the time.

Oh, and…yes, I will have an income after this job is over so I can make it slightly worth Leeann’s while.  Forgot to tell you about that, sort of.  I actually haven’t wanted to say much about it OR my new living arrangement for fear that it would all fall apart, but that’s probably ridiculous.  I just haven’t had much stability at all—at all—pretty much since I left Alabama, but especially over the past year and a half or so.  It’s gotten to be what I expect now; I hope it’s not always the norm, but I guess I may as well stay flexible.

I’m going back to work for The Man Downtown in January.  I actually am very excited about it.  I did this job going on three years ago, as you may recall, and it’s what I was doing when I started this blog.  It’s also going to be an odd sort of full-circle thing once I start back there—I was also living with a friend because I was poor then, too, and I was going to school at night (during my short-lived plan to get a business degree) as well.  I’m a lot more grounded as far as direction and practicality are concerned now, though, and a lot of realities have hit pretty hard since then—especially those of the financial sort.

Once the session is over, I’ll be jobless again, but I’m hoping and praying I can scrape together enough to go to school full-time and finish up and get started on my new career and get back on my feet.  We’ll see.  Oh, whatever—like I was really ever on my feet to begin with.

I try, folks.  I really do.

So, there.  I’m really bad about luring you in with my titles and then rambling about my own mundanities.  Once again I say, though—made you read.

Dette bildet fikk jeg beskjed om å legge ut..  skulle kalle det for ; Når de to beinte er borte danser de firbente på bordet. Eller noe sånt.
Så snart en av oss glemmer å sette stolene inntil bordet, hopper en av de små hundene opp på bordet. Bare for å se om de finner seg noe godt. Noe som han ene fant i dette tilfellet..

Bobby vårt lille matvrak.. Men søt er han da.. rampete og søt!

Måtte selvsagt ta et bilde av han andre hund, Fido bjeffer om han ikke blir tatt bildet av..

ou seu pau na oreia sai andando de esqueite na decida da lagoa buracao duvido vc pesca de esqueite to vendendo um sofa 50 pila ta muito desvalorizado mas acredito no poder da compra e venda sem consignaçao ou juros decorrente dessa vendas vlw seus jump the fuck

O que voce acha dessa oração, oh grande mestre?

Olha, não quero desvalorizar ninguém tirando os méritos de seu ponto de vista mas hipoteticamente falando não creio que alguém conseguirar fazer uma venda dessa proporção andando em um meio de transporte rude junto de um ato de caça primordio.

Grande mestre nos diga uma frase de sabedoria????

Sim.

Grande mestre, o que você acha da vida?

Primeiramente agradeço meu pai por ter ganhado a aposta e isso fez minha mãe casar com ele, segundamente agradeço minha mãe por perder uma aposta, por esse motivo eu nasci, depois agradeço a Deus, acho que sem ele não existiria o padre Fabio de Melo que me batizou.

Tem algo que queira dizer à todos os dicipulos?

Tudo é do Pai.

Ok.

Esse foi o mestre Fido nos abençoando com sua sabedoria, se algum de vois entre as mulheres tiver alguma pergunta para ele, just do it. (nike)

agora algo para refletir

oi meu nome é B! e tenho 14 historias engraçadas da minha vida. teria se eu tivesse vivo, morri quando comi uma feijoada na casa da minha namorada e morri tentando caga no chuveiro, mande essa texto para 7 promoção para seus amigos em 14 dias ou irá ter cancer de cabelo

oi meu nome é danilo miranda e tenho 14 motivos pra vcs nao falarem mais comigo nem com meu marmanjo. nao entenderam clique aqiu

oi meu nome é kone e tenho 14 masturbation por dia. teria se meu pau tivesse duplicado, hj bati uma no trampo e meu patrao me pego no flagra agora to postando do celular e vendi meu cabelo pra compra maionese. se marturbe 7 vezes em 14 minutos ou seu pinto vai cai

oi meu nome é fael e tenho 14 meses que nao posto no supermariobloggers. postaria se nao tivesse me tirado de la, e o pior é que todos riam de mim. agora vendo cocaina em pó pra sustenta meus 7 filhos (nao precisa manda email nesse)

oi meu nome é gregorio e tenho 14

oi meu nome é daniel e tenho 14 diplomas. teria se eu tivesse estudado, fiz faculdade de ciencia da computer e agora nao consigo desliga o pc pra procura emprego. mande meu curriculo pra 7 empresas ou vote no lula em 2010

oi meu nome é italow tenho 14 anos kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk
kkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkkk

io meu nome é douglas antunes

oi meu nome é rodrigo e tenho 14 caracteres pra faze um post decente. apagar

Essa foi a primeira tentativa frustante de um post quase engraçado, vo começa de novo.

ou seu pau na oreia sai andando de esqueite na decid

New phone at Fido! Works with $15 unlimited mobile browsing value pack for maps, YouTube, and facebook, plus a whole lot more!!

It’s Tuesday, and has been since 10 AM this morning. I have come to the conclusion that, in Module 3, it’s essentially impossible to “win” in the sense that when you walk out of lab, you feel like you did something. (No. Not this pig.) It’s sort of erratic sometimes, trying to do things we’re not sure of how to do. The TA is also not exactly the nicest person in the world in lab–I think he expects us to know/understand/be less stressed about what he considers simple experiments. (It’s hard not to be stressed out, though, when you’re told that if you don’t get any polymer, you’ll drop a letter grade…) Professor Swager’s work, though, is really interesting. He’s using conductive polymers with pretty side groups to make chemosensors. The side groupsbind to a molecule ( such as TNT in one polymer) and then change the resistance in a set of molecular wires (which are carbon nanotubes in this case). All of these wires are connected in a massive network, and so if the resistance changes in a few of these wires, it’s possible to measure the bulk change, which then shows that whatever molecule you’re hunting for is present. There’s lots of cool aspects to the design of these polymers to sniff out specific molecules, and best of all, Prof. Swager mentioned how he’s really into the molecular design aspect of chemistry. It’s funny how I thought chemistry was really boring in high school–I guess I just didn’t know that there’s so much art involved in designing and synthesizing molecules and materials. (And that’s where it interconnects with the human experience in an emotional way–when it starts becoming art. It shares the same brainspace as math and poetry in my head. But that’s a whole different post on its own, and has sprouted ideas that have started to develop into something like a personal manifesto…)

In other news, I showed my friend Grace the poem by Laura Cronk I posted on here, and in return she sent me this one. I really like it, especially the last line. It’s by Philip Levine.
“Animals Are Passing Through Our Lives”

It’s wonderful how I jog
on four honed-down ivory toes
my massive buttocks slipping
like oiled parts with each light step.

I’m to market. I can smell
the sour, grooved block, I can smell
the blade that opens the hole
and the pudgy white fingers

that shake out the intestines
like a hankie. In my dreams
the snouts drool on the marble,
suffering children, suffering flies,

suffering the consumers
who won’t meet their steady eyes
for fear they could see. The boy
who drives me along believes

that any moment I’ll fall
on my side and drum my toes
like a typewriter or squeal
and shit like a new housewife

discovering television,
or that I’ll turn like a beast
cleverly to hook his teeth
with my teeth. No. Not this pig.

A last linguistic note: A friend of mine (Rachel F.) in my short story class (21W.755) recently referred to the side of oven mitts that touches the hot pans and baking sheets as the “business side” of oven mitts. I can’t think of a more appropriate way to describe that particular side of the oven mitts. In fact, I’ve been obsessing over this concept of business sides. You flip one side over, it’s casual. You flip it again, it’s business time. There may be many hidden symmetries in the business sides of things that we, as a human race, have never even once considered. It’s the ultimate delegation of work and play: you physically designate which part of what object is the important part.

I was just thinking as I was writing this, “Is there an object such that every side is the business side?” when I quickly realized that yes, such an object exists: a useful ball. A ball bearing. A sports ball. A yoga ball. Nothing but business, everywhere. Another example: gum. And yet another: the rims of clean drinking cups. (But if a sick person (or someone with untrustworthy spit) drinks out of one side of the cup, that side quickly loses business status.) Does there exist an object such that no side is the business side? Yes: the unseductive skin of an old and many-years celibate monk.

What a life.

I just grabbed an older sketchbook and scanned a few things that I still somewhat consider good.

Three pirate characters from a convoluted sweeping epic fantasy idea thing I had. Left to right: Lydya, Gouram, and Calamin– Not to be mistaken for calamine.

Some bizarre interpretations of the Super Mario Universe.

I like to make cover art sketches for graphic novel ideas that are nowhere near completion. I’m still working on this one here and there. This character has since been drastically re-designed. She’s still lovable and Hell-bent in killing aquatic abominations though.

Per credito al consumo si intendono prestiti e finanziamenti a soggetti, famiglie o consumatori, per acquistare beni mobili e servizi eccedenti le disponibilità economiche immediate .

Il credito al consumo può essere:

• finalizzato all’acquisto di specifiche categorie di beni ed è contraddistinto dal fatto che il finanziatore verifica che la somma prestata venga effettivamente utilizzata per l’acquisto del bene dichiarato nella richiesta di fido.
• Il credito non finalizzato invece non prevede alcuna verifica sulla destinazione del denaro prestato da parte del finanziatore che si preoccupa principalmente che la restituzione avvenga secondo le modalità concordate.

Queste sono le principali tipologie di finanziamento in prestiti:

• prestiti personali (dai finanziamenti alle vendite rateali, sono proposti da società finanziarie, hanno in genere rate costanti).
• prestiti rotativi (tra cui lo “scoperto di doppia mensilità” e una forma ibrida tra mutuo e apertura di credito in contocorrente in cui è possibile riutilizzare il capitale rimborsato a seconda dell’evolversi della capacità di rimborso del debitore)
• contro cessione del quinto dello stipendio (è la forma tecnica più datata di credito al consumo, introdotta nei primi del ‘900)
• con carte di credito.

Questo mercato ha avuto negli ultimi anni un grande impulso, sempre più persone infatti decidono di chiedere un prestito per far fronte alle proprie esigenze  personali e familiari.
Il credito è uno strumento importante ma indebitarsi in maniera eccessiva per soddisfare le proprie esigenze è molto pericoloso, quindi il consiglio è sempre quello di stare molto attenti a non “strafare”

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Fair Wireless for Canada seeks your support to help prohibit or regulate the use of SIM locking (or other technological measures) of wireless telecommunication devices sold in Canada. We call on you to help put an end to Bell, Fido, Rogers and Telus practices that lock-out competition, impede consumer choice and stifle innovation by supporting these four simple recommendations:

1. For wireless devices sold as part of a service agreement, mandatory SIM-unlocking of wireless devices at the end or termination of the service agreement.
2. Prohibit the sale of SIM-locked wireless devices when not included as part of a service agreement (e.g., when the wireless device is purchased at full price without any discounts or subsidies).
3. Full disclosure and transparency by wireless carriers. In addition to coverage and rate-plan information, carriers must fully disclose any limits placed on devices, limits on bandwidth usage, if devices are locked to a single network and information regarding discounts and subsidies applied to the purchase of devices that are part of a service agreement.
4. Require wireless carriers to provide purchase options of wireless devices without service agreements.

In the February budget of 2005, the Government of Canada requested the CRTC move expeditiously to implement wireless number portability (WNP). Thanks to WNP, by September 17, 2007 Canadians could now keep their existing telephone number when moving from one service provider to the next.

The demand for smart phones like Apple’s iPhone has exploded since WNP was introduced. Contrary to Charles Dalen’s, former Chairman of the CRTC, vision that “consumers should be given the widest possible choice of service providers and should be able to switch telephone companies without unwarranted cost or inconvenience” Canadian wireless carriers have still found a way to use technological measures to lock-out competition, impede consumer choice and stifle innovation. The CRTC also provides the following caveat regarding WNP:

“While WNP will remove a significant barrier to changing wireless service providers, consumers should bear in mind that handsets may not function on different wireless carriers networks due to different network technologies; customers may have binding long term service contracts with early termination fees; long distance services may not be transferable from one carrier to another; and not all the services that a customer has with one service provider will be supported or provided by another service provider.”

The CRTC has failed to acknowledge or address that Canadian wireless carriers continue to impose arbitrary technological restrictions that lock wireless devices they sell (like the iPhone) to Canadians for use only on their network. This is referred to as subscriber identity module (SIM) locking. This has nothing to do with network compatibility or recovering subsidies and discounts applied during the sale of wireless devices and everything to do with using technological measures to lock-out competition, impede consumer choice and stifle innovation.

Wireless carriers claim they lock devices for use only on their networks to protect subsidies and discounts on handsets they sell to Canadians in exchange for signing long-term service agreements. We understand that that these agreements include expensive early cancelation fees as a result of the wireless carrier providing subsidies and discounts on the purchase of a wireless device. When Canadians pay full price (without any subsidies or discounts) for their wireless device these arbitrary restrictions and technological locks are still imposed by the wireless carrier preventing Canadians from reusing their wireless device with another service provider. Likewise, when Canadians reach the end of the service agreement the arbitrary restrictions and technological locks are still imposed by the wireless carrier preventing Canadians from reusing their device with another service provider. Even a consumer in good standing who continues to pay their monthly subscription fees cannot chose to use their “mobile” wireless device while traveling abroad on another compatible wireless carrier network to avoid exorbitant roaming fees. How does this provide the widest possible choice to Canadians?

As evidenced by the hugely successful 2008 spectrum auction and 2009 launch of new wireless networks from Bell and Telus, wireless carriers are moving towards nationally and globally interoperable networks. Wireless carriers regularly encourage and support the use of SIM unlocked devices on their networks. Rightfully so, why would they turn away business when there are no technological restrictions or incompatibilities with the network and wireless devices?

Bell, Fido, Rogers and Telus require Canadians to unnecessarily purchase new phones in order to switch service providers. As of November 4, 2009 there are over 100,000 third-party applications officially available for the iPhone. These mobile and wireless devices are integrated into to the lifestyles of many Canadians. Gone are the days that wireless carriers can hold phone numbers hostage to retain customers, however, our beloved iPhones are now being held hostage by wireless carriers to retain customers.

Not only is there time and effort to unnecessarily replace an iPhone there is the financial cost. For those on a contract, It can cost up to $1619 to switch providers ($820 in early termination fees and $799 for the cost of purchasing a new iPhone). This is a significant cost to Canadians that Bell, Fido, Rogers and Telus rely on and exploit to lock-out competition, impede consumer choice and stifle innovation. How do these arbitrary restrictions and technological locks benefit Canadians?

Let’s not forget about the environmentally irresponsible practice of prohibiting Canadians from re-using their existing wireless devices with other wireless carriers. The U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) estimates that more than 125 million cell phones are discarded each year. Please help put an end to this unnecessary waste by allowing Canadians to re-use their existing devices when switching wireless carriers.

All of these concerns relate back to technological locks imposed on wireless devices by Bell, Fido, Rogers and Telus to lock-out competition, impede consumer choice and stifle innovation. Groups like Fair Copyright for Canada fight proposed legislation like Bill C-61 that would make it illegal for Canadians to circumvent digital locks when they unlock their phones. Unlocking wireless devices like the iPhone is a cat and mouse game between Apple and software developers. Apple will continue to fix software or hardware bugs to prevent unlocking and software developers will look for new bugs to exploit. There is no guarantee that it will even be possible to unlock some wireless devices. Fair Wireless for Canada argues that digital locks should be prohibited on wireless devices sold in Canada in the first place to avoid anti-circumvention legislation in Bill C-61 entirely.

Other European and Asian countries have laws that regulate and, in some cases, even prohibit the SIM-locking of wireless devices. Fair Wireless for Canada calls on you to help prohibit or regulate the use of SIM locking (or other technological measures) of wireless telecommunication devices sold in Canada. Lets put an end to wireless carrier practices that lock-out competition, impede consumer choice and stifle innovation. Whatever happened to good old-fashioned customer service to retain customers?

Fair Wireless for Canada recommends the following:

1. For wireless devices sold as part of a service agreement, mandatory SIM-unlocking of wireless devices at the end or termination of the service agreement.
2. Prohibit the sale of SIM-locked wireless devices when not included as part of a service agreement (e.g. when the wireless device is purchased without any discounts or subsidies).
3. Full disclosure and transparency by wireless carriers. In addition to coverage and rate-plan information, carriers must fully disclose any limits placed on devices, limits on bandwidth usage, if devices are locked to a single network and information regarding discounts and subsidies applied to the purchase of devices that are part of a service agreement.
4. Require wireless carriers to provide purchase options of wireless devices without service agreements.

What do you plan to do to help put an end to Bell, Fido, Rogers and Telus practices of using SIM-locking or other technological measures that prevent Canadians from re-using their existing wireless devices when switching wireless providers?

We anxiously await your response to these important issues.

I have officially made the switch to the blackberry curve 8900. Why you ask? As an up & coming project manager I must be prepared and armed with the latest techy gadgets, or so I tell myself. Despite working @ a company completely mac/linux based, I went with the BB. Its sexy sleek professional look captured my heart.

After several months with the motorola touch (note – stylus pen was required to txt), the iphone was an absolute no-go. As a result, I was forced into making a difficult decision that involved me terminating my long time love affair with Fido. So long & best wishes Fido, you served me well during my student frugal days. Now I’ve committed myself to a 3-year contract with Rogers and an extensive data/voice plan. >_<
At least I got myself some nice accessories in the form of purple iskin case with mirror/protective screen!

Anyway, all to say is that I’m enjoying my new phone (even downloaded the wordpress app that I’m using to write this post with).

Welcome change, welcome life.

I finally watched the movie Fido today, and I have to say, it was really enjoyable for a smaller movie that was never released in theatres here in the US.  I have a zombie movie fascination (Shawn of the Dead, 28 Days Later, Dawn of the Dead, etc) and a zombie game fascination (Dead Rising, Resident Evil Series, L4D, etc) and this movie has taken a special place in my heart.

It takes place in a parallel 1950’s universe where humans have won the war against the zombies (a result from space dust) and with the help of mega corporation ‘Zomcon’ have turned any remaining zombies into indentured servants.. Mow the lawn, walk the dog, even be your girlfriend.  One family that tries to fit in finally gets their very own zombie and the boy names it  ‘Fido’.  The movie feels like a Pleasantville meets Shawn of the Dead and is an overall success combining the two into a story of a man and his.. pet.  There’s lots of quirky characters and humor to be had in this movie that I won’t ruin for anyone reading this, so go out and rent/buy/download this movie.

photos: about.com

So you are planning a two-week visit to your mom’s house this winter and she has welcomed you to bring your pet for the visit? Great! Mom lives 5 hours away, a no-sweat trip for most, and your family is all excited for it. Your 6-year-old son can’t wait to sink his original baby teeth into Grandma Betsy’s world-famous chocolate chip cookies, yum!

But what about Peaches, your 3-year-old rottweiler? This is your first long trip with him coming along and you are worried about how to go about the whole process. Well, let us help get you, your family, and Peaches allready for the excursion.

• Some folks might say consult your vet before taking your pet on a trip. I’d just say make sure that you remember to take along plenty of pet food.  What you don’t want to happen is that you get 3 hours down the road and realize you forgot to feed the pooch and, moreover, you forgot to bring a bag of his/her food.  I remember we took our beagle, Mittens, on a 7 hour trip across Iowa when I was a kid and my folks forgot to bring the dog food.  Dad made the mistake of stopping at McDonald’s and bought a cheeseburger for Mittens.  About thirty miles after that, dad pulled over to clean dog vomit off of the back seat carpet.  That was before the invention of Fabreeze, and it made the rest of the trip very pleasant (not!) on our noses.
• Also bring along a good stock of any medication that your pet might take. It’s a good idea to bring along some of the more common medications, including flea and tick control as well as heartworm medicine.
• Take along important documentation, including: license numbers, tattoo numbers, microchip numbers and vaccination records.  It’s best to be prepared for anything.
• You might take along a kennel or carrier for your dog to ride in on the trip. Some vehicles, especially SUV’s, have a “dog fence” you can put in the cargo area (see picture to right). Whatever you go with, be sure that you can protect your pet and keep him/her under control when needed.  My sister takes her current Beagle wherever she goes and transports him in his kennel that sits in the back of their van.
• If you’re planning to stay in a hotel, call ahead to make sure that the town that you’re planning on stopping in overnight has a hotel that takes dogs — many don’t and you don’t want to be stuck driving around Po-Dunk, Nowhere at 11pm looking for a hotel that’ll lodge you and your four-legged friend.
   
• Say bacon-cheese-burger! Take a picture of your pet before you go and print it out in case Fido runs away. An up-to-date photo will help you describe him to others.

There you have it, you should be ready to go! Gotta love the holidays, gotta love it even more when everyone you love, including your pets get to share it together. Stay tuned next week for some practical tips you can use to be safe on the roads as winter starts to approach us. We’ll make sure you get to see Grandma Betsy instead of a ditch this winter!

With the eminent launch of the iPhone this month from two more Canadian providers, all consumers look forward to a truly competitive market.

Telus and Bell announced a while back that they would be launching their shared HSPA network that would run in parallel with their current CDMA platforms. The HSPA technology is basically an upgrade to the typical GSM we know and love. Each telecomm giant contributed $500 million to building a single network that aims to compete with Rogers and Fido that once boasted the only 3G GSM network in Canada.  This change now marks the nation wide acceptance of the new technology as well as the downfall of the Rogers (/Fido) monopoly in GSM land.

Bell is set to launch November 4th and Telus November 5th with their new services based on this new network.  The Bell site ironically tell you to “Get a SIM card from Bell and unlock your phone’s full potential on the new Bell network.”  I’m not really sure if this means they will help you unlock your current phone to use on their network or if they are trying for a “Lock into us and unlock potential” vibe.  Amusing either way.

Bell also claims to be the largest HSPA network (4x larger than Rogers) and service 93% of the population.  They boast about phone exclusivity and being the most reliable network with fewest dropped calls and highest call clarity.  Sorry if I’m a little skeptical, but is there an echo? Wasn’t Rogers claiming the exact same things?

At the moment the plans Telus and Bell are set to offer look very similar to the Rogers/Fido offers.  So the new launch has not sparked any drastic price drops in attempts to win us over.  It is still too early to tell.  Supply and demand says the prices should be dropping but maybe they have agreed to keep the plans similar and try to steal customers by bashing the competition.  (We have all seen those ridiculous commercials with the red and blue couches.)

The other thing to consider is the age of these networks. Even if Bell and Telus boast the largest network, can they can host millions of users on it?  Soon enough CDMA will be a thing of the past.  Bell and Telus will rely more heavily on the new network. So now you have Bell and Telus users competing with each other.  Can the network handle it?  It should be interesting to see.

More information on the launches: http://www.itbusiness.ca/it/client/en/home/News.asp?id=55145

A newer entry into Halloweek today, the 2006 film about a boy and his zombie, Fido.

]]> http://iononcicascopiu.wordpress.com/2009/10/30/cose-il-fido-bancario-e-come-funziona/ Fri, 30 Oct 2009 08:31:07 +0000 iononcicascopiu http://iononcicascopiu.wordpress.com/2009/10/30/cose-il-fido-bancario-e-come-funziona/

Se il fido è il miglior amico dell’uomo, si può dire la stessa cosa per il fido bancario?

Il fido bancario è il contratto con cui una banca si impegna a erogare a un cliente crediti per cassa o per firma per un importo massimo stabilito.
La sua concessione richiede accertamenti in merito alle fonti di reddito e alla consistenza patrimoniale del cliente al fine di valutare la capacità di rimborso del credito erogato, l’affidabilità del cliente e la concretezza delle garanzie offerte.

Viene chiamato Fido generale se utilizzabile in qualsiasi momento e per ogni genere di operazione, a seconda delle necessità.
Il fido accordato è l’importo massimo di credito che la banca ha deciso di concedere al cliente.
Il fido utilizzato è la parte del credito effettivamente utilizzata dal cliente.

A differenza del prestito, nel Fido bancario la somma messa a disposizione del cliente non deve essere necessariamente utilizzata nella sua totalità e gli interessi saranno calcolati solo sulla parte effettivamente utilizzata.

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Quem disse que filme de zumbi é sempre a mesma coisa? Mortos que vagam pela terra em busca de carne viva? Pessoas mordidas que ficam doente e jogam os entes queridos ao terrível dilema de puxar o gatilho ao perceber que você não é mais você? Áreas isoladas versus áreas infectadas? Cidades inteiras infectadas? O planeta inteiro? Ah, esta história já foi contada 200 vezes e apenas uma ou duas foram interessante..

Mas esqueça! Esqueça tudo que já tenha visto sobre filmes de zumbi e conheça Fido. Uma comédia nonsense para adultos que trás, nas entre linhas, boas críticas à sociedade. Os zumbis eram um problema até alguém conseguir domesticá-los e conferir a eles aquelas tarefas irritantes (mas necessárias) dos subempregos. Então temos zumbis garçons, empregados, operários de fábricas e por aí vai. A raça zumbi foi escravizada mas no fundo continuam sendo monstros perigosos, por isso todo desprezo e brutalidade com eles se faz necessário. Eles deveriam estar mortos (ou 100% mortos) mas devem agradecer a Deus por continuar na Terra trabalhando pelo bem do lado bom da sociedade. Hmmm acho que na história já vivemos situações parecidas ou ainda vivemos?

Tudo começou quando eu zapeava pela televisão e me deparei com o seguinte video:

Fido
Directed by Andrew Currie
Starring Billy Connolly, Carrie-Ann Moss, Dylan Baker, K’Sun Ray, Henry Czerny

Combining the nostalgia of Leave It to Beaver and the tender mercies of Dawn of the Dead, Fido is the story of a boy and his zombie.

In an alternative 1950’s era, the world is perfect in its innocence after recovering from the Zombie Wars (a time when the world was ravaged by space-dust reanimated dead). And, thanks to innovative technological advances, everyone can now even have their very own zombie servants!

Sure, every once in a while, a zombie goes bad and has to be taken care of, but folks are prepared. Children hone their shooting skills during the school day, and there is always ZomCom, the company that makes the control collars for the zombies, and their security division that keeps normal folks safe.

In the idyllic setting, we meet the Robinsons – Bill, Helen, and their son, Timmy. Bill is the responsible father, making sure that each member of his family have a funeral savings, ensuring that they will not revert to zombies after their deaths. Helen is a loving wife and mother, perhaps a little too concerned with keeping up with the Joneses. And Timmy? Timmy is the average boy, who’d just like to play catch with his dad.

Despite Bill being against it (for pretty good reasons when you see the movie), Helen orders a zombie after the head of ZomCom’s security division moves into the neighborhood. After a short period, Timmy becomes truly attached to the zombie and names him Fido.

Unfortunately, Fido’s control collar goes on the fritz, and he attacks and kills a neighbor. Despite the best efforts of Timmy to keep this under wraps, it is eventually found out, and Fido is recalled to ZomCom. Then, it is up to Timmy to rescue Fido.

I have to admit, when I decided to watch this film, I wasn’t expecting much. I had seen the preview, and thought, okay, I’ll give it a shot.

I’m very glad I did.

The look of this film is unbelievable. Despite the low budget, the feel is captured every bit as well, if not better, than in most movies that try the same. Everything from the costumes to the houses are era-perfect. It is a beautiful and lush setting, full of bright, synthetic colors that make for a great contrasting look with the zombies, clad in blues and grays to match their skin tones.

The acting throughout the film is pretty top notch. I wasn’t annoyed by the kid actor playing Timmy (which is a feat), and Carrie-Ann Moss as the mother was really fantastic, as, perhaps, the most dynamic character of the entire film.

Henry Czerny stole every seen he was in as spot-on casting for no-nonsense Head of Security Mr. Bottoms. The delightfully creepy Tim Blake Nelson as Mr. Theopolis, neighbor to the Robinsons, is worth the price of admission!

If there was any fault in the cast, I’d have to give that to Dylan Baker, who I usually really enjoy. In this movie, though, he seemed to be the only one playing a bit over the top, which was a contrast to the other actors that seemed to be playing the ridiculous as straight.

Still, overall, no major complaints.

Oh, and, let me just say that it blows me away that Fido:

Was played by this Billy Connolly:

Which was a fact I didn’t realize until very nearly the end of the film! I knew Billy Connolly was in the film, but I just didn’t connect it until late in the movie.

For better or worse (depending entirely on your tastes), the gore of this film was very understated overall (especially considering that it is a zombie movie). As a result, if you are looking for a bloody mess of a movie, you’ll probably be disappointed. On the other hand, if you are looking for a zombie movie that non-horror fans might enjoy, this is a heart-warming film (with a nice touch of satire and a bit of gore) that will probably fit the bill.

I’m giving Fido three and a half out of five Running Steves.

While this film isn’t quite up to the level of brilliance of the amazing Shaun of the Dead, it is certainly high up on the list of wonderful zombie comedies. Check it out if you have a chance!

yes, zombies have leash laws too...

R

K’Sun Ray, Carrie-Anne Moss, Billy Connolly, Dylan Baker, Henry Czerny

Bill: I suppose you think he got so attached to the damn thing because I’m a bad father.  I’d say I’m a pretty damned good father!  My father tried to eat me.  I don’t remember trying to eat Timmy.
Helen: Bill…just because your father tried to eat you, does that mean we all have to be unhappy…forever?

It’s the 1950s (I think), and humans have prevailed in the great Zombie Wars.  ZomCon has arisen as the top zombie security company in the nation, and they’ve even developed an electronic collar that will modify a zombie’s behavior so that it’s more docile (i.e. they won’t want to eat you).  When little Timmy Robinson’s (Ray) new zombie has a collar malfunction and kills a neighbor, Timmy must try to cover it up before his new friend is taken away.

In case you can’t tell from the plot description, this is a zombie comedy (zomedy?) that’s heavy on dark humor, but surprisingly light on graphic imagery.  Sure there are zombie attacks, and a few limbs and/or heads are separated from bodies, but it’s not nearly as disgusting as most zombie movies.

The setup is great (and maybe better than the movie as a whole):  with the dead having been reanimated by some sort of cosmic energy, zombies are such common place that even little elementary school kids are expected to become sharp shooters.  The sharpest shooter in school is Cindy (Alexia Fast), the daughter of ZomCon’s head of security, Mr. Bottoms (Czerny). Timmy takes an interest in her, but Timmy’s mom, Helen (Moss) takes an interest in the fact that the Bottoms have six zombies working for them, while the Robinsons have none.  So, despite her husband’s fear of zombies, she gets a zombie for the family.  Dubbed Fido by Timmy, the zombie takes on the role of his friend, protector, and even father figure.  There’s a clear, and somewhat heavy handed, parody of Lassie going on here, which is somewhat funny, though nothing new.

The real comedy, to me, is in the little ways life has changed for everyone due to the zombies.  Funerals have taken on an interesting look, as the newly deceased have their heads removed and buried in a “head coffin” for fear of them becoming zombies as well.  Bill Robinson (Baker) has always insisted he wants a head coffin funeral, while Helen and Timmy eventually start to think that maybe being a zombie wouldn’t be so bad.  After all, their cannibalistic ways are not really their fault, it’s just the way they are.  After a well written philosophical conversation between mother and son on the subject, they inform Bill that they both plan to “go zombie” when they die.

It may not maintain its energy and humor all throughout the film, but the actors all do a good job of playing the material straight and letting the dialogue create most of the comedy.  It’s witty, interesting, creative, and shot so colorfully that I couldn’t help thinking it’s probably the prettiest looking zombie movie ever made.  Not that it has much competition in that arena…

Do not become too attached to your servant zombie.

10 – .8 for a few slow parts here and there – 1 for some of the parody/satire moments being heavy-handed – .7 because I thought the zombie performance(s)/behavior could have been done better = 7.5

Details of the gasket on Le Parfait glass jar

 In 2006, I moved to Mexico with my box of 12 Mason jars and extra lids just in case because there were no where I could find my loving Mason jars for canning.  I have a thing for canning. 

A shelf full of canning jars speaks to me, sings me lovely songs of comforts and love.

But here, in Mexico, the mexicans cook daily, with fresh ingredients and with what they have on the kitchen.  They don’t do much canning.  So for the love of me, forget the Mason jars canning, I could not find any here, nada, none, aucun…

So very preciously, my 12 jars of Mason became my joy of the moment, my happy jars in the kitchen, placed on a top shelf, canned with homemade anything as the seasons would pass.

Over the years, I came across those two kind of jars : Le Parfait and Fido.  Those canning jars are made of the best quality of glass on this planet and are recognised for their quality and their very expensive price to buy.  We find them very often, already filled up with fancy mustards, olives, etc… in a french section of a culinary shop or so.

Well can you believe that about 2 months ago, always looking for the unbelievable sign of endless possibilities here, on a back shelf of a very dusty store, I saw those jars, empty, 5 different sizes, about 10 of them?  Oh my gosh, I almost fainted right there.  I looked at the price and it was for the biggest size : 60 pesos (about 5$US) and the smallest one was about 20 pesos (2$).  I picked one up, and told myself, this is impossible, they must be cracked or something or the gasket must not be working anymore or even worst the caoutchouc ring must be dried up, etc… but no, nothing was wrong with neither one of them.

I got them all, in my basket and hurry out to the cashier, still pinching myself of my discovery. 

Well, I went back two times already and emptied completely the shelves of those jars, ending up with about 15 of them here in my house.

Details of the gasket on a Bormioli Rocco Fido Glass

For the last two months, I have been going back to the same store, waiting to see if the next batch has come in since I took them all but to no vail, the shelf is still empty because of my last passion.

To no despair, I will keep on going back and one day, my collection of those fantastic jars will get to about 24 or 32 of them. 

Beautiful concept of a jar, strong closing, perfect for me and I have an admiration for the person behind this invention of concept : a metal gasket with an O ring caoutchouc sitting on a perfect quality glass!