NYTimes: 10 Ways to Get the Most Out of Technology

10 Ways to Get the Most Out of Technology

Two hours of work on improving your technological life will pay off handsomely in both increased free time and diminished anxiety and frustration.

http://nyti.ms/glBYJz

Cracking the NYT Popularity Code

How To Crack The New York Times Most-Emailed Articles List

http://www.thedailybeast.com/blogs-and-stories/2010-12-20/how-to-crack-the-new-york-times-most-emailed-list/full/

It was easier than expected to game this watched list of top NYT articles.

Murder Music

Guernica mag: Murder Music

Article on extreme anti-gay messages in Jamaica's dancehall music

http://www.guernicamag.com/features/2180/greenberg_12_1_10/

Metrodome roof collapses because of too much snow

http://kottke.org/10/12/metrodome-roof-collapses-because-of-too-much-snow

And the Metrodome has/had the exact same design as BC Place. This footage is incredible!

Lonely Planet's Top 10 best value travel destinations for 2011

Top 10 best value travel destinations for 2011: Lonely Planet

Where to plan a vacation for 2011 without breaking the bank.

NYTimes: Oregon's Speed-Freak Football

Speed-Freak Football

Oregon has raced to the top of the rankings with a brand of football that's all about speed and a nonstop assault of offensive firepower.

http://nyti.ms/dZcCyK

BC Hydro Holiday Card

BC Hydro Holiday Card

 

Test your maze skills and help support the BC Hydro Power Pioneers' Miracle Million Campaign. Each time you play, BC Hydro will make a donation (up to $25,000 in total) to BC Children's Hospital, helping to create a better future for children.

 

This year’s e-card involves a simple and enjoyable maze game where players get to share the warmth by unravelling and knitting sweaters.

 

Oddly enough, the game reminds me of the light cycle races from the original Tron movie…

Hockey Needs a Criminal Code

http://m.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/david-shoalts/hockey-needs-a-criminal-code/article1801643/?service=mobile&page=1#article

Cheers, Chris (via iPhone)

Crazy bad 80s reunion videos

http://kottke.org/10/12/bad-80s-reunion-videos

Cheers, Chris (via iPhone)

Captain of a Cocaine Submarine

True story of Columbian drug smugglers using homemade submarines

http://www.spiegel.de/international/world/0,1518,732292,00.html

NYTimes: A Bully Finds a Pulpit on the Web

A Bully Finds a Pulpit on the Web

Vitaly Borker welcomes customer complaints, saying they vault his business higher in Internet search results.

http://nyti.ms/hKLDUo

How slow is the SR-71 Blackbird?

The SR-71 is a Cold War era spy plane, and is the fastest plane in history.  It was also a thing of engineering beauty.  One of its pilots answers the rare question, “What is the slowest speed possible from the SR-71?”

 

Video of Sufjan Stevens performing on Jimmy Fallon

Sufjan Plays Fallon

Sufjan Stevens plays "Too Much" on Jimmy Fallon's show, with some "out there" outfits and a full band with dancers, trombonists and a clarinet.  Wow!

No Wizard Left Behind: The Failure of The Hogwarts Educational System

No Wizard Left Behind: The Failure of The Hogwarts Educational System

Gordon Campbell resigns

Gordon Campbell resigns Globe and Mail 

The Grizzlies still suck

Grizzlies Still Doing it Wrong: National Post

A scathing opinion piece on the Memphis Grizzlies- a franchise that continues to be a train wreck, even after leaving Vancouver.  

Michael Heisley, "the carpetbagging boob who came to town and bought the team and promised not to move the team until he did a whole year later," continues to meddle in player personnel, and continues to make disastrous decisions.

For the record: Vancouver would support a competitive, professionally-run NBA team, but was never given the chance.  The Grizzlies played for 6 seasons in Vancouver, and in their best season won 28% of their games.  

Michael Jordan's final shot

From kottke.org (@kottke)  Michael Jordan's final shot http://kottke.org/x/4p6a

NYTimes: Study Finds Concussions in Hockey Underreported

Scary stuff!!

Independent medical observers found that the incidence of game-related concussions was seven times higher than a study the N.C.A.A. conducted.

http://nyti.ms/cvvxkt

Why NHL players shouldn't have to tolerate fan abuse

Bourne Blog: Why NHL players shouldn't have to tolerate fan abuse

Yahoo! Sports recruited former minor-league player Justin Bourne to write about the NHL.

Rather than a "no-holds barred" tabloid style, Bourne writes fresh, thoughtful pieces with the perspective of someone who has experienced the ups and downs of life as a journeyman hockey player. 

Today, Rick Rypien will have his hearing with the NHL today to determine his punishment for foolishly grabbing a fan during a game in Minnesota this week. Without excusing Rypien, Justin Bourne tries to explain the difficulty of being "professional", while being taunted by obnoxious fans during emotional and competitive games.

Tom Larscheid retires tonight

After 33 years as the Canucks colour commentator, Tom Larscheid is broadcasting his last game tonight. 
Although sometimes he drove me crazy ("Bingo, bango, bongo..."), Larscheid deserves a lot of respect.  Iain MacIntyre and Tony Gallagher have good tribute pieces on his retirement here and here, respectively. 

C. diff: Blame hospitals? Or food? : Wired Science

http://m.wired.com/wiredscience/2010/10/c-diff-blame-hospitals-or-food/

Free 2010-2011 NHL Hockey Pool Guide in Excel (not mine)

The 2010-2011 Ultimate Pool Preview

I've been creating my own hockey pool predictors for the past five years, and just didn't have the time or energy this year to keep going with "Chris' Hockey Pool Picks and Stats Guide".  The 2010-2011 Ultimate Pool Preview (UPP) is an excellent substitute, and it's free.

The UPP includes the predictions from 10 of the major NHL hockey pool predictors (e.g. TSN, ESPN, McKeens, Rotowire, The Score Forcaster, etc.) side-by-side in an Excel spreadsheet, and the analysis of how well they did last year (Hint: the best predictions last year were from CBS Sportsline).  There are skaters and goalies, salaries, draft trackers, player links, and more.  These guys did their homework!

The only other thing you'll need is a list of the most up-to-date player injuries (from CBS).  Let the 2010-2011 Regular Season begin!  Good luck in your pools!!

San Francisco says "It Gets Better!"

The It Gets Better project is a series of video postcards from happy, well-adjusted LGBT adults to isolated queer teens who think that they're they only "different" people in the world. No matter what your sexuality, these are wonderfully uplifting -- and "it gets better" is a great message for kids everywhere, queer, straight, or undecided.

It Gets Better: Dan and Terry

Michael Lewis goes to Greece

Beware of Greeks Bearing Bonds- Vanity Fair

Michael Lewis (the author of non-fiction The Blind Side and Moneyball) goes to Greece to find the roots of the recent Greek economic crisis... in a monastery.  

Michael Lewis is one of my favourite non-fiction writers at the moment.  I really like the way he is able to humanize and explain complex topics, such as baseball's sabermetrics, the recent stock market collapse and explaining why the left tackle is one of the NFL's top paid positions.

Jay-Z and Warren Buffet go for lunch

Jay-Z,  Buffett and Forbes on Success and Giving Back - Forbes.com

Map and streaming playlist of the best non-commercial college radio stations.

Map and streaming playlist of the best non-commercial college radio stations in USA & Canada. 

Canucks Open Practice, Sun Oct 3rd

 

If you are unable to see the message below, click here to view

	CANUCKS OPEN PRACTICE The Vancouver Canucks announced today that tickets for the Oct 3rd Open Practice, presented by BC Hydro Power Smart, will be available beginning Fri, Sept 17th at 10am. The club will invite fans to attend an NHL practice at Rogers Arena on Sun, Oct 3rd at 2pm. Doors open to the public at 1pm. Full Press Release Canucks Open Practice at Rogers Arena Fans will have the opportunity to watch Canucks players take to the ice in preparation for their Opening Night matchup vs the LA Kings. Attendees should arrive early to participate in the pre-practice concourse activities and opportunities. Check out canucks.com/openpractice for more info.

 

 

Inside the secret world of Trader Joe's

Inside the secret world of Trader Joe's

What makes the quirky American supermarket chain appealing and successful?

Nightfire! A 3D public art installation event tonight and tomorrow at the VAG!

Nightfire! A 3D public art installation event tonight and tomorrow at the VAG! Join other Vancouverites and witness the iconic Vancouver ArtGallery digitally transform right before your eyes in a one-of-a-kind animation-meets-public-art installation event. Nightfire is a 3D building manipulation piece that uses the boundaries of an architecturally interesting building to tell a compelling and beautiful narrative. The Vancouver Art Gallery is the canvas. Rival Schools (a strategic design and content firm) has created a story of a fallen angel. Broken, she's found by a lone man who, with love, takes her on a  journey back to her home.  Set to the music "Nessun Dorma" from Turandot (courtesy of EMI Music Canada) audiences will be wowed as light, shadow and colour are projected on the Vancouverlandmark to create illusion and transform its appearance. Vancouver Opera is pleased to support this event with logistical assistance. See you there! Friday Sept. 10th and Saturday Sept. 11th at 9:00 pm.   Vancouver Art Gallery on the Georgia St / Water Fountain side

Canucks Training Camp Tickets (Penticton) - Free!

Canucks main camp tickets available Sunday

The Vancouver Canucks announced today that tickets to access the Vancouver Canucks Main Camp will be available Sunday, September 12th at 10am, and they’re free.  Training camp runs from Sept 18 to 20 in Penticton.

Vancouver Canucks Regular Season Pre-Sale

If you are unable to see the message below, click here to view

	As a Vancouver Canucks E-News member, we are pleased to offer you an exclusive pre-sale opportunity to purchase tickets to the Vancouver Canucks regular season games. Follow the instructions listed below to purchase your tickets: Please note that the pre-sale date is Thursday, September 9th, and not today. EXCLUSIVE PRE-SALE PERIOD: START: Thursday, September 9 @ 2pm END: Thursday, September 9 @ 10pm PASSWORD: WXP01Z PRICES:  Prices range from $62.25 - $243.25 for regular games and $82.25-$297.25 for premium games (bolded). All prices include HST but are applicable to service charges. *Limit of 2 tickets per game, per E-News member Sat. Oct. 9th vs Los Angeles Kings Thu. Jan. 20th vs San Jose Sharks Mon. Oct. 11th vs Florida Panthers Sat. Jan. 22nd vs Calgary Flames Sun. Oct. 17th vs Carolina Hurricane Mon. Jan. 24th vs Dallas Stars Fri. Oct. 22th vs Minnesota Wild Wed. Jan. 26th vs Nashville Predators Tue. Oct. 26th vs Colorado Avalanche Fri. Feb. 4th vs Chicago Blackhawks Mon. Nov. 1st vs New Jersey Devils Mon. Feb. 7th vs Ottawa Senators Sat. Nov. 6th vs Detroit Red Wings Wed. Feb. 9th vs Anaheim Ducks Sat. Nov. 20th vs Chicago Blackhawks Sat. Feb. 12th vs Calgary Flames Sun. Nov. 21st vs Phoenix Coyotes Sat. Feb. 19th vs Dallas Stars Wed. Nov. 24th vs Colorado Avalanche Tue. Feb. 22nd vs Montreal Canadiens Fri. Nov. 26th vs San Jose Sharks Thu. Feb. 24th vs St Louis Blues Sun. Dec. 5th vs St. Louis Blues Sat. Feb. 26th vs Boston Bruins Wed. Dec. 8th vs Anaheim Ducks Tue. Mar. 1st vs Columbus Blue Jackets Sat. Dec. 11th vs Tampa Bay Lightning Thur. Mar. 3rd vs Nashville Predators Wed. Dec. 15th vs Columbus Blue Jackets Mon. Mar. 14th vs Minnesota Wild Sat. Dec. 18th vs Toronto Maple Leafs Wed. Mar. 16th vs Colorado Avalanche Sun. Dec. 26th vs Edmonton Oilers Fri. Mar. 18th vs Phoenix Coyotes Tue. Dec. 28th vs Philadelphia Flyers Thu. Mar. 31st vs Los Angeles Kings Wed. Jan. 5th vs Calgary Flames Sat. Apr. 2nd vs Edmonton Oilers Fri. Jan. 7th vs Edmonton Oilers Thu. Apr. 7th vs Minnesota Wild Sat. Jan. 8th vs Detroit Red Wings ******************************************************** TO ORDER YOUR TICKETS**: 1. Click on the link above based on the game(s) of your choice, and follow the instructions to select your seats during the EXCLUSIVE ORDER PERIOD. 2. When prompted, enter the following password in pre-sale section and proceed with your order: WXP01Z 3. Select your delivery type and make your payment to complete your purchase. 4. You may also purchase by phone starting Thursday September 9 @ 2:00pm by calling Ticketmaster at 604.280.4444. 5. Once your order has been processed, a confirmation number will be provided. Keep this number on file for reference. ********************************************************* **Specific seats have been assigned to this exclusive sale during the Internet Order Period. **This pre-sale is available THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9th @ 2:00pm to THURSDAY, SEPTEMBER 9th @ 10:00pm **Limit of 2 tickets per game, per E-News member **Availability of seats is based on a first-come, first-served basis, and is restricted to areas defined by the promoter. **Ticket prices, service charges, and availability of seats may be subject to change. ********************************************************* This offer is not transferable, tickets may not be re-sold, and ticket availability may be limited If you require assistance with your order please call 604.280.4444 and a Ticketmaster service representative will be available to help you. Please note, events that are offered to E-News Members are selected by the promoter and are based on the type of event, seat availability, and timing. In order to purchase tickets to these events, you must have access to the internet and hold a major credit card. All seat locations are subject to availability and are sold on a first-come, first-served basis. Ticket limits, prices, and service charges may be subject to change at any time. Events are chosen at the sole discretion of the promoter with no involvement from the Vancouver Canucks. NOTE: This offer is a benefit of being a Vancouver Canucks E-News Member. The Vancouver Canucks take your privacy seriously.

New street food vendors in Vancouver

Food-cart program reaches full steam ahead 

I just enjoyed a pulled pork sandwich from Georgia and Hornby. Thinking about a street crepe from Georgia and Granville. 

The woman who passed her driving test on the 960th attempt

From The New York Times:
At First She Didn't Succeed, but She Tried and Tried Again (960 Times)

Cha Sa-soon, 69, has become a national symbol for perseverance in South Korea — and she can legally hit the road.

http://nyti.ms/98KnMK

Creative, interactive web music video: Arcade Fire

The Wilderness Downtown: Arcade Fire

So this is what very creative people can do with the web these days.  Very, very cool interactive web video, and I'm sure it would look better on a bigger screen than my laptop.  

It's an innovative use of the web and the internet to make a compelling music video.  And hey, the music is by Arcade Fire.

Why all 30 teams will miss the NHL playoffs

We're All Doomed - Battle of California

At this time of year, everyone comes up their NHL preseason predictions. Battle of California looks at why all 30 teams will miss the playoffs.

Sketches from a Transatlantic flight

For the Abstract City NY Times blog, Christoph Niemann visually documents his flight from New York to Berlin.

Hilarious!

The Ketchup Conundrum

Malcolm Gladwell on The Ketchup Conundrum

The Barenaked Ladies wondered about dijon ketchup.  Mustard has many different varieties.  Why has ketchup stayed the same?

Do Gadget Allergies Really Exist?

Do Gadget Allergies Really Exist? : Wired magazine

What's the truth about "electromagnetic hypersensitivity syndrome"?

Athletes are different from you and me

From Kottke, some thoughts about what truly make elite athletes different than other people... other than their physical skills.

http://kottke.org/10/08/athletes-are-different-from-you-and-me

Perfection in the Horseshoe Pit

From The New York Times:

Perfection in the Horseshoe Pit

Alan Francis, widely considered the best horseshoe pitcher in history, has won 15 world titles, including the past seven.

http://nyti.ms/9OyUwT

Get The New York Times on your iPhone for free by visiting http://itunes.com/apps/nytimes

Cheers, Chris (via iPhone)

Douglas Coupland Teams Up with Roots for Clothing Line

Douglas Coupland designs clothing line, claims Canada not doomed: Metafilter

North Vancouver's famous writer, designer and artist, Douglas Coupland, has collaborated with Roots to produce a line of colourful, hip clothes.  They also have a temporary pop-up store in Gastown at 36 Powell St.  

I'm a big fan of Douglas Coupland's nonfiction books, such as: the Souvenir of Canada books (that I read in Japan), Terry Fox, and the one about Vancouver City of Glass.  Coupland's non-fiction work really connects with me.

A Play-by-Play Description of the World Cup Final

A Preview Of Spain Vs. Holland, World Cup Final, 2010 | The New Republic

http://www.tnr.com/blog/world-cup/76164/preview-spain-vs-holland-world-cup-final-2010

Translink Monthly Pass? Take 5 Friends for Free on Sundays and Holidays!

Translink.ca Monthly Pass:  Take a Friend for Free!

Happy Canada Day!!!  On Sundays and Statutory Holidays (like Canada Day) you can use your FareCard to take five other riders with you for free! A total of six riders is allowed: Two adults (14 and older) and up to four children (13 and under) can ride on a single Adult FareCard, West Coast Express 28-day Pass, or Annual Employer Transit Pass. (Does not apply to Concession Passes.)

Lenny Kravitz crashes choir in New Orleans for "Fly Away" - Youtube

Lenny Kravitz crashes the VOP Choir in New Orleans for "Fly Away" - Youtube

Let's say that you're Lenny Kravitz and you're relaxing on a balcony in New Orleans when you hear someone singing one of your songs. What do you do? Join in! 

Video Technology Confirms England Are Very Bad At Football

Video Technology Confirms England Are Very Bad At Football

"The operator sits in front of the screen and if he or she sees one set of players concede goal after goal after goal after goal, the video images then help them to decide whether or not those players are good at football."

Also: “The use of television has been a source of controversy in the sport, but experts insist it offers a fool-proof method for determining whether a team is good at football or whether it is simply a collection of absurdly over-compensated, second-rate commercial brands with ghastly, vulgar wives(sic).”  Yikes!

Reykjavik taken over by anarchist punk rocker | Beyond The Beyond

http://www.wired.com/beyond_the_beyond/2010/06/reykjavik-taken-over-by-anarchist-punk-rocker/

"A polar bear display for the zoo. Free towels at public swimming pools. A "drug-free Parliament by 2020." Iceland's Best
Party, founded in December by a comedian, Jon Gnarr, to satirize his country's political system, ran a campaign that was one big joke.". Then he won the election. 

The Dunning-Kruger Effect

“The Dunning–Kruger effect is a cognitive bias in which ‘people reach erroneous conclusions and make unfortunate choices but their incompetence robs them of the metacognitive ability to realize it.’" (Wikipedia)

 

There’s an article written by documentary-maker, Errol Morris, about the Dunning–Kruger Effect in an NY Times blog.

 

 

 

A intelligent, well-written, American blog about soccer?

Goal Post blog

"Life is too short to miss any games to be played this summer in South Africa. A sad fact of human existence is that an average life seldom contains more than 20 World Cups—our games are tragically numbered."  

A well-written, intelligent American blog on soccer?  Although it is difficult to conceive of something that would appear to be such a mass of contradictions, it does exist.  It's the World Cup blog from The New Republic Magazine, featuring: 

- cerebral articles on Soccer and Human Trafficking and Latino Immigration and U.S. Soccer

- passionate articles on Messi, Anyone but Brazil, and The Austere Beauty of Italy

- and a twice daily round-up of World Cup soccer links.

10 Things Your Internet Provider Really Doesn´t Want You To Know

10 Things Your Internet Provider Really Doesn´t Want You To Know

http://www.highspeedinternet.net/uncategorized/10-things-your-internet-provider-really-doesn
´t-want-you-to-know.asp

Study: Lesbian Parents Raise Better-Behaved Kids

Study: Lesbian Parents Raise Better-Behaved Kids

From Metafilter

Microsoft's Plan to Take Over the Internet Revealed in a New Phone for Teens

How a Silly Phone for Teens Reveals Microsoft’s Plan for Us All – Wired.com

 

The author posits that the new Microsoft phone is the first glimpse at Microsoft’s plan to overtake Apple and Google.  Imagine all your information can be stored on a Microsoft server, and you’re able to access your content on your mobile phone, your computer AND your TV/Xbox with one login and password, anywhere in the world.

 

It sounds like what everyone else is trying to do, except that Microsoft already has access to your information from: Hotmail, Microsoft Office, Xbox Live, your contact list, calendar info, Windows Mobile, and unlimited streaming music from the Zune servers. 

 

 

NYTimes: How a Soccer Star Is Made

How a Soccer Star Is Made: NYT
http://nyti.ms/a7xjvN

On the eve of the World Cup in South Africa, a story from Holland on
Ajax's cutting-edge talent factory training elite soccer players
starting at age 7.

Best summary of Canucks' playoff disappointment

Forty Years, No Cup in B.C. – Toronto Star

It might be the Curse of Steve Moore, but that would only cover the playoff failures that have occurred over the past seven years.

In all, the Vancouver Canucks have hit the 40-year mark in terms of unsuccessfully trying to capture the Stanley Cup. So many good players, two Cup final appearances, one horrific incident that stained the game forever in 2004, a lifetime of disappointments. From Orland Kurtenbach to Henrik Sedin, the Canucks have tried it every which way and have yet to come up with the winning formula.

The 2009-10 season ended exactly the way last season ended, with a one-sided blowout loss to the Chicago Blackhawks last night at GM Place by a 5-1 score. Just as Roberto Luongo couldn't deliver top-notch goaltending last spring, he couldn't do it again this spring, outplayed by Finnish rookie Antti Niemi in Game 6 with the Canucks facing elimination.

The Hawks go through to the Western Conference final for the second straight year, and will face the San Jose Sharks as the two best teams in the west have pushed their way into the Final Four. It should be a terrific series, with two big lines - Joe Thornton between Dany Heatley and Patrick Marleau for the Sharks, Jonathan Toews-Patrick Kane-Dustin Byfuglien for the Hawks - set to go head-to-head.

Chicago's blue-chip defensive pair of Duncan Keith and Brent Seabrook made a huge difference against the Canucks, and they'll need all the rest they can get before the Western Conference final begins in California.

For Vancouver, a blueline that some experts warned last fall was too brittle proved to be just that. Willie Mitchell was lost before the playoffs began, Sami Salo was hobbled before last night and Alexander Edler went down in the first period after a big hit by Byfuglien. GM Mike Gillis chose to spend his big dollars on Luongo - whose 12-year extension kicks in next season - and forwards Henrik and Daniel Sedin, leaving the club without anything like a Keith or a Seabrook on the back end. Kevin Bieksa, Christian Erhoff and Shane O'Brien were all game last night, but that's not an elite blueline.

Head coach Alain Vigneault could be faulted for not dressing seven D-men last night, and after four years on the job without getting out of the second round, he may find his time in Vancouver is up.

None of the Canucks big stars came through, yet the club is married to all of them for the long term. Luongo is no longer considered one of the best goalies in the game and will make $10 million next year, the first of his $64 million pact. The Sedin twins, probably signed to below market value at $6.1 per season each, have four more years on their deals. Ryan Kesler, who didn't score a goal against Chicago or do much at all, sees his six-year, $30 million contract kick in next season.

The blueline is thin, although Edler looks like a comer. You might wonder if a good puck handler like the very available Tomas Kaberle could benefit the 'Nucks. Kyle Wellwood did his best but isn't a consistent point producer and Pavol Demitra was a huge disappointment based on how well he played for Slovakia at the Olympics in Vancouver. In the end, this was a team that couldn't win in the pressure cooker of playing on home ice. Team Canada may have won Olympic gold with Luongo in net at GM Place, but the Canucks were 0-3 there against the Hawks, surrendering 17 goals in those three games.

The tragic flaw of this team is that it was completely built around the belief that Luongo was one of the greatest goalies ever to play. They made him captain, and gave him a monster contract, and the result is a netminder who couldn't handle the weight and at 31, isn't as good as he was three years ago.

Now the franchise enters its fifth decade, still waiting for a championship.

 

Why do "conservative family values" states have higher divorce & teen pregnancy rates?

Do 'Family Values' Weaken Families? -National Journal Magazine

An interesting study on the differences in family values and practices between conservative and liberal states, a theory on what it all means, and what has changed about American society, and American families, in the last 30-40 years.  I found it to be fascinating reading.  

http://www.nationaljournal.com/njmagazine/st_20100501_5904.php

"The paradox is this: Cultural conservatives revel in condemning the loose moral values and louche lifestyles of "San Francisco liberals." But if you want to find two-parent families with stable marriages and coddled kids, your best bet is... the liberal, bicoastal, predominantly Democratic places that cultural conservatives love to hate."

Luongo shaves playoff beard; I'm next.

The Vancouver Canucks face elimination from the playoffs in tonight's game against Chicago.  Canucks' captain, Roberto Luongo, shaved his playoff beard yesterday to "Change things up a little bit,"  presumably with the intention of winning tonight's game.  The move could also be interpreted as Luongo giving up, or being distracted by the media and focussing on things that have absolutely zero impact on the outcome of tonight's hockey game, but I'm going to be optimistic.  

Most importantly, if the Canucks' superstar goalie shaves his playoff beard, why should I keep mine?  

Incidentally, I just found an article about Bangkok's triving ice hockey scene.  Maybe I can still go semi-pro after all!

Dancers in NYC

Dancers Among Us series features photos of dancers from the Paul Taylor and Martha Graham Dance Companies doing everyday things in New York while dancing.  

Pictures from the Eyjafjallajokull volcano

Iceland's disruptive volcano & More from Eyjafjallajokull - Big Picture blog

Two sets of amazing pictures of the Eyjafjallajokull volcano from the Boston Globe's "Big Picture" feature.  I love the lightning in the second set.

Trustworthiness of Beards

The Trustworthiness of Beards (graphic)

Free Starbucks Coffee today

Today only (April 15), get a free drip coffee at Starbucks when you
bring your own mug.
http://www.starbucks.com/thebigpicture

Guess who won Luongo's Autographed puck?

Scavenger Hunt Winners

 

Canucks.com is running a 3 day scavenger hunt for Canucks playoff tickets.  I won a Roberto Luongo puck as one of the preliminary prizes.

Are you ready for the 2010 Playoffs?

 

 

 

 

Chris' Playoff Hockey Pool site is up!

2010 Stanley Cup Fantasy Hockey Pool Stats

The NHL Playoffs are approaching, and I've updated my website, and uploaded the hockey stats for those annual playoff pools.

It's a labour of love.  

Please let me know if you find any free playoff pools on the interwebs, and I'll post them on my site.

LCD Soundsystem is playing at my house

I am going to see LCD Soundsystem at the Malkin Bowl.
Want to get tickets and join me?

Carolina to Host 2011 All-Star Game

Carolina to Host 2011 All-Star Game
Gary Bettman announced that the NHL's 2011 All Star game will take place in Raleigh, North Carolina. It will have a hard time competing with 2010's Olympic Hockey tournaments.
Get ready for playoff hockey!

How Lady Gaga Became The World's Biggest Pop Star

How Lady Gaga came to be. 

The origin story of Lady Gaga, from NY Magazine.  Hint: She didn't start out by trying to be... different.

jónsi (from Sigur Ros)

Just came from the first jónsi tour stop in Vancouver, and was blown away. I didn't know what to expect, with the jónsi album released today, but it was up to the very high creative standards of a Sigur Ros show.

It was a musical and visual tour-de-force, with lots of stunning original effects.

If you haven't experienced Sigur Ros, I'd describe jónsi as a combination of Radiohead, Phillip Glass and "Where the Wild Things Are". Check it!

"jónsi kicks off his north american tour in vancouver tonight. he will be joined by a four-man band (alex, úlfur, þorvaldur and ólafur björn) and as you may have gathered from the previews on jonsi.com , the live show experience of this tour promises to be something special. jónsi has teamed up with the stage show company 59 productions to put together the most amazing live experience possible, bringing together the worlds of theatre, animation, art installation, film and music."

10 years after Bourdain's "Kitchen Confidential," the bad-boy chef is an endangered species

Why kitchens stopped being like pirate ships - Salon.com

The days (and nights) of testosterone-fueled chefs restaurant kitchens, as described in Anthony Bourdain's "Kitchen Confidential" are apparently on their way out. 

Yarr!

Earth Hour Pictures from Around the World

Earth Hour 2010 - The Big Picture photo blog

I love the before and after pictures of people turning off the lights.

How A $500 Craigslist Car Beat $400K Rally Racers

How A $500 Craigslist Car Beat $400K Rally Racers - Jalopnik

Not sure if you’ve heard about this story that’s making the rounds.  It’s about a guy with a 20-year old, $500 BMW competing in the Mexico race of the World Rally Championship. 

Chinese Netizens Use "Human-flesh Search Engines" for Mob Justice

China's Cyberposse - New York Times

Internet culture in China varies greatly from western net culture, according to an article in the New York Times.  Using the popularity of message boards and forums, netizens are connecting with others online to track down people in the real world, and pursue mob justice against offenders with "human-flesh search engines".

Alternatives to Google Products

How I Became (Mostly) Google-free in About a Day (Zen Habits)

Google’s products are wonderful, but what alternatives exist? 

Stunning Vancouver Paralympic Photos

Big Picture - 2010 Paralympic Winter Games
The Boston Globe's Big Picture has a great images from Vancouver's
Paralympic Games.
http://www.boston.com/bigpicture/2010/03/2010_winter_paralympics.html

Eastern European Chic hits Shibuya

Grimoire Shibuya

If you happen to be in Shibuya, consider checking this place out. 

"I like how this Japanese goth-Loli store gets its outre effects through the simple expedient of importing clothes from Eastern Europe." -Bruce Sterling

http://tokyofashion.com/grimoire-shibuya-japanese-dolly-kei-vintage-fashion-wonderland/

Cooking Steak Sous-vide

Sous-Vide 101: Prime Steak Primer
http://mobile.seriouseats.com/2010/03/how-to-sous-vide-steak.html

I enjoy cooking and eating a good steak as much as anyone, and dare to say that I'm pretty good at cooking steaks too.

 

This article is good at introducing the concept of cooking Sous Vide, and how restaurants (and home chefs) use the technique to cook the perfect steak.

Perfect steak? Yep, the article also explains what that means. 

Cooking Steak Sous-vide

Sous-Vide 101: Prime Steak Primer
http://mobile.seriouseats.com/2010/03/how-to-sous-vide-steak.html

I enjoy cooking and eating a good steak as much as anyone. I dare to say that I'm pretty good at cooking steaks too. 

This article is 

NYTimes: For the Dishwasher’s Sake, Go Easy on the Detergent

For the Dishwasher's Sake, Go Easy on the Detergent

Go easy on the detergent in dishwashers and washing machines, and
never clean your oven the day before a big family dinner.

http://s.nyt.com/u/x1b

Profile of Paul Krugman, Nobel Economist (New Yorker)

The New Yorker interviews Nobel economist and NYT columnist Paul Krugman about his career and the impact of politics on his work.  
 http://www.newyorker.com/reporting/2010/03/01/100301fa_fact_macfarquhar

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Free 90-Day Subscription to Globe and Mail

I picked up a free newspaper yesterday, and received this offer from the Globe and Mail.

90-day complimentary subscription to the Globe & Mail

No strings attached.  Offer expires March 31, 2010.

NYTimes: Olympic Torch Visits White Rock and U.S.A.

Rules Are Bent a Little, and Olympic Torch Visits the U.S.

The Olympic torch visited my hometown (South Surrey/ White Rock), my
street in New Westminster, and for the only time in the 2010 Olympic
Torch Relay, the flame dipped into the United States. I'm catching the
spirit.

http://s.nyt.com/u/eUh

Zero Rupee Note Fights Corruption

Paying Zero for Public Services

http://blogs.worldbank.org/publicsphere/paying-zero-public-services

In India, citizens resist public corruption by paying bribes with a
zero rupee note.

Olympic Transportation site

The Travel Smart 2010 website    http://travelsmart2010.ca/

 

Travel Smart 2010 is the official transportation website for the 2010 Vancouver Winter Olympics, and has crucial information on road closures, trip planning on transit, transit advisories and transportation to the Olympic venues.  The website will help you plan ahead, and relates to safety by reducing unnecessary detours and speeding (due to lateness).

 

YouTube: Vancouver City Time Lapse Video (HD)

Stunning video of the 2010 Olympic city, with waves of fog and panoramic time lapse shots. Gorgeous!