Pancake Day - Greasy Tuesday

Wendy whipped us up a few pancakes for lunch.

In other countries today is referred to as:

Brazil - Terça-feira gorda - Fat Tuesday - the final day of Brazilian Carnival.

Greece - Apocreas, which means "from the meat" since they don't eat meat during Lent, either.

Sweden - Fettisdagen (Fat Tuesday).

USA In Catholic and French-speaking parts of the United States this day is called Mardi Gras.

Germany - "Fastnacht" (Also spelt "Fasnacht", "Fasenacht", "Fasteloven" (in the Rhine area) or "Fasching" in Bavaria.)

In France they call it Mardi Gras, which means Grease or Fat Tuesday.

In Iceland the day is known as "Sprengidagur" (Bursting day).

.

.

.

Lunch in Port Huron MI

Click the picture to see the panorama

From the window of the second floor of the Quay Street Brewery I snapped a panoramic view of the mouth of the Black River. This is the view we had as we enjoyed sandwiches and a beer. Soon we'll be back here by boat.

The U.S. Coast Guard ice breaker #214, "Hollyhock" goes by on the St. Clair River in the distance. They have had a particularly bad winter for ice jams down-river towards Lake St. Clair. The ferry boat at Sombra to Marine City has been delayed for the longest in it's history this year.

.

.

.

'Family Day' In Ontario

Another 6" over night. Good thing its a holiday.

.
.
.

Photoshop Experiment - Animated GIF

.

.
These flip-cards (the series is called an 'animated gif') are created on a web page called Picasion. The 'Rimroller in the previous post (from their web page) is also an animated gif.  Generate each slide first in Photoshop and then upload them to Picasion.

.
.
.
.

What Next? Or Do You Already Have One?

.
.
.

I thought I'd seen it all, BUT... 

This one has to go into my "What Next?" file. A "Rimroller" 

At the risk of sounding un-Canadian, I'm not a fan of Tim Horton's. In fact I've only been in their stores a few times and that was just to use their washroom. (probably why I've never seen this thing before) I think they must spike their stuff with an addictive drug or something because their coffee is not that good. (IMO) Apparently I'm the only one in this country who doesn't like Tim Horton's because the place is always packed.  I'm sure the addicts who go there will quickly snap up one of these.
.
.
.

Don't Fall For The Infected Computer Scam...

.Something like these examples will eventually pop up on your screen.  DON"T BUY THE BS!!! (These guys are rich from suckers like us)  Their software doesn't even do anything except install 'spyware' on your computer.
.

I pass this along just to alert you to a scam that has been around for a long time. This article was written by Bruce Schneier. I have his blog bookmarked and subscribe to his newsletter. Bruce is a recognized authority on security and often criticizes the 'Security Theatre' performed by the TSA. Click here to go to his blog http://www.schneier.com/

Scareware: How Crime Pays

Scareware is fraudulent software that uses deceptive advertising to trick users into believing they're infected with some variety of malware, then convinces them to pay money to protect themselves. The infection isn't real, and the software they buy is fake, too. It's all a scam.

One scareware operator sold "more than 1 million software products" at "$39.95 or more," and now has to pay $8.2 million to settle a Federal Trade Commission complaint.

Seems to me that $40 per customer, minus $8.20 to pay off the FTC, is still a pretty good revenue model. Their operating costs can't be very high, since the software doesn't actually do anything. Yes, a court ordered them to close down their business, but certainly there are other creative entrepreneurs that can recognize a business opportunity when they see it.

Here's the article in PC World Magazine

Since the article was written there must be more 'entrepreneurs' running the scam because, seems to me I've seen them since. Or maybe the ads are just still lurking around in cyberspace?
.
.
.

Happy Valentine's Day

.
.
.

I Wish!

This year, Wendy and I won't be going on the Spring cruise with our old 'cruising gang'.  Wendy's mom's health continues to decline. This, combined with some other issues will prevent us booking. I spoke with John and Cheryl last night and they have booked along with Deb and Chris, and Holly and Barry. My friends David and Reenie are taking this exact same cruise aboard the Grand Princess on February 28th. It looks like a great itinerary and we certainly wish them all safe and happy journeys. Take lots of pictures!
.
.
.

A Walk With The Bird Watchers

Wendy and I drove out to Dorchester Ontario, 15 minutes east of London to participate in the Nature London walk. This group was formerly called the McIwraith Field Naturalists and has many organized events throughout the year. The nice thing about going with this group was that the knowledgeable leader (and unfortunately I didn't get his name) explained in great detail, not only the features of the flora and fauna but also the politics and challenges of keeping the land in its natural state in spite of the housing developments looming ever closer to the pond. Click on any picture to enlarge.

Although it started out a little overcast, the sun did come out and the temperature was at around the freezing point which was nice and in sharp contrast to the very cold temperatures we were experiencing earlier this week.  Not many birds out this time of day but a good time was had by all and the hour and a half tromp throught the snow was good for us. Read about the birdwatchers on Facebook here.

You can read about this bridge and all about the fascinating Dorchester Swamp at the Carolinian Canada web site. Click here. I remember as a young boy traveling in my dad's car, there was a floating roadway bridge (he called it a Bailey Bridge, but I'm not sure that's what it was) across this very swamp before the 401 super highway was built in the 60's. Swamps were mosquito breeding, logistical obstacles and were considered valueless back then.

A healthy outdoor glow. A little redder than usual. It took about one hundred minutes to walk completely around the mill pond.

Wendy snapped this beautiful picture of rushes in the new-fallen snow. Click on the picture to enjoy the full size image.
.
.
.

Photoshop Experiment - My OLD Computer

I think it's time I moved up to a new computer, don't you? As I recall, they threw this one in with the deal when I bought my '48 Olds. Since I have such a nice picture, maybe I'll try to sell it on eBay.  Phone not included! OK, it's actually only a fun compilation of pictures I found on Google 'Image Search'. I manipulated and assembled them into a new picture. Click on it to see the whole thing.

They just don't make 'em like they used to!

.

.

.

DANGER: This Test Affects Your Driving Ability

Say the COLOUR of the word (not the word) as it appears on the screen.

 Your right brain tries to say the colour but your left brain insists on reading the word.

Now, in the name of research,  have a drink or two and try it again. Is your performance better or worse?

My premise is: if you drink enough your vision may become so blurred you can only see the colour and this may actually allow you to do better in this test. On the other hand, your reflexes may slow so you can't keep up. Or, you may not even know if you are saying the right colour.  I don't which scenario is true, so clearly there is a need for much more research.

Try the test often with different drinks (wine, beer, scotch, rum, tequila etc.)  and let me know what you find out (if you can remember).

WARNING: Taking this test can make it illegal for you to drive your car.

.
.
.

Unforecasted Snowfall for Super Bowl XLV Day

Click to view the panorama. A view from my desk.

We got more snow yesterday and last night than the "biggy" and the weatherman missed it. It doesn't appear to be blowing around so it shouldn't affect people driving to their Super Bowl Parties.
.
.
.

Master Of My Own Domain

 Click on the name to blow up.

My plan is to use this web site to operate my own email so I won't be dependent on Yahoo where my present email address is domicile. Originally my email address ended in @HOME.COM. Then Rogers took that over. A few years ago I moved away from ROGERS.COM and had to notify everyone that my new email ended in YMAIL.COM. Well now I'm changing it to GOletter.COM. Hopefully my final move!

I was very lucky to find GOletter which was originally concocted by somebody else seven years ago. I happily snapped it up after 'that somebody' let their ICAAN registration run out.  I stumbled across it at   $7.49 .com at GoDaddy  This is a good place to search for a domain and see if it is still available. Most good names, especially those ending in the most popular (and valuable) COM are already in use by somebody else.

The advantage to all this inconvenience is that I now own (for about $12/year in ICAAN fees) the name "goletter dot com" so I will not be dependent on any company to hold and store my emails. Yahoo operates my present YMAIL address and lately I have not been thrilled with it's performance. They seem to keep adding gimmicky little things that I don't need and annoy me with links to chat sessions and Facebook etc.

Not that I have anything to hide, but I don't like the idea of someone else, some big company, holding all my personal emails. Did you know they will turn them over to the US or Canadian government if requested? I don't know about you, but I feel I've given up enough personal freedom in the name of 'security' and privatizing my email could be my way of getting some back.

I'll be notifying everyone in my address book as soon as the change is made. If you are not in my address book and need my new address please leave a comment below and I'll send it to you since it would not be wise to publish it on the blog. Don't worry though, my computer scientist son Tim will be setting it up so that the old ROGERS and YMAIL letters are forwarded on to GOletter so I won't lose any.


.
.
.

So Much For The "BIGGY"! Happy Groundhog Day

Oh well the Groundhog didn't see his shadow this morning so that means an early spring.
.
.
.

This Could Be A Biggy! (First blizzard warning since 1993 'storm of the century')

.

Warnings

Tuesday 01 February 2011
Blizzard warning for
Strathroy - Komoka - Western Middlesex County upgraded from Winter storm warning

Blizzard conditions expected overnight into Wednesday morning.The major storm which was born in Texas late Monday is approaching Southern Illinois accompanied by an expansive swath of wintery precipitation. Heavy snow will arrive in Southwestern Ontario this evening and quickly spread northeast to the Golden Horseshoe around midnight. Widespread total snowfall amounts of 20 to 30 cm are likely before the snow begins to lighten up Wednesday morning. Locally higher amounts are possible in the Hamilton to St. Catharines corridor.

In addition, strong northeast winds of 40 gusting to 60 or 70 km/h will accompany the snow, creating blizzard conditions.

Note that the blizzard warning criteria for Ontario was changed June 2010 to remove cold wind chill requirements. The new criteria requires a visibility of 400 metres or less in snow and blowing snow accompanied by sustained wind speeds of 40 km/h for at least four hours. This will likely mean more blizzard warnings will be issued in the future.

This is the first widespread blizzard warning for Southern Ontario since March 1993, during the 'storm of the century'.

This is a warning that blizzard conditions are imminent or occurring in these regions. Monitor weather conditions..Listen for updated statements.

Motorists should be prepared to change plans accordingly to avoid unnecessary travel during the storm as conditions will be dangerous. If driving is necessary, make sure you have an emergency kit. And if your car gets stuck, remain calm and remain in your car.

.
.
.