Just some funny stuff

For those of you who may be unaware, there will be a movie released this summer entitled, “Snakes on a Plane”. I know, I know, there has been much discussion of this movie online but have you actually seen a newspaper or magazine ad? The marketing is pretty genius.

On that note, several people have noted some viral videos related to the movie including Jane who sent a link to this video. Browsing on YouTube I found this video as well by the same actor (Bono being seriously mocked) on the pseudo soundtrack. Language warning for those reading/listening to this at work.

This actor looks creepily like my friend and former coworker, Tom, from the Sentry Box. Gord really should start paying me advertising dollars.

Life returning to normal…..

Well its amazing what a few days in Hawaii can do for your mindset. Snorkeling with these babes made for many afternoon adventures. Get your minds out of the gutter! I think that all ALA’s should be held here in perpetuity.

I have returned to work and as usual I am spending my off time here at work. What was that on my list of things to do this lifetime…. Oh yeah, #56 “Get a life”.

Oh well, next weekend is Annual and after that it’s smooth sailing except for attending the program track of a regional Information Literacy Immersion Institute, leaving the country to renew my work visa, and oh yeah planning my UNT course, Academic Libraries, for the fall. What else was there? Did I mention chairing a committee that is supposed to develop subject specific information literacy standards by Midwinter?

I think I am going back to Hawaii and not returning.

Terrorism Light?

This weekend 17 men were arrested in Canada for allegedly planning attacks and attempting to secure bomb materials for said attacks. Apparently they support Al Quaeda and its goals (but are not members) and they were willing to commit acts of violence against Canada. The Parliament Buildings in Ottawa were apparently targeted, as well as other government/police buildings. So yes, many Canadians are breathing a sigh of relief that these individuals were caught. Reading American news reports including the New York Times, one might be led to believe that the “real” targets were of course in America. Why is it so hard to believe after the London and Madrid bombings that Canada wouldn’t be a target?

On September 11th 2001, I had to return my rental car at the airport here in Houston. I had just moved down from Canada the Friday before and the drive to the airport was surreal. There was no traffic heading to the airport (something I perhaps didn’t truly appreciate at the time) and I drove by myself up a three lane toll road while wondering if Houston was still possibly a target. An individual from HR was kind enough to come and pick me up after I dropped off the car and we drove past a crowd of hundreds waiting for cars to arrive so that they could leave.

The HR individual said the following after I stated that I was worried about Canada being attacked. “Why would anyone attack Canada?” Why indeed? Could it be that Canada is still perceived to be the US’s closest economic and political partner?

Why not? Because Canada’s involvement with NATO, NORAD, and NAFTA link us politically and militarily. Because Canadian soldiers are dying in Afghanistan supporting the mission of this American government. Because Canada has sent special forces to fight in Iraq without the bluster and bragging like other allies.

The fact is, we share the longest continuous border and this does make Canada an obvious entry point but another fact is that not one of the September 11th terrorists snuck in from Canada despite the impression that this is the case amongst Americans. The 9-11 terrorists were all in the United States legally and many of them had been granted visas. The alledged terrorists captured this weekend in Canada are also legal residents and if they had been successful in their plans we may have suffered the consequences of our close alliance with the United States.

This was a key sentence in the June 4 New York Times article. “In the United States, the arrests reignited fears among American counterterrorism officials about the porous northern border.” Perhaps instead of trying to create the impression that somehow harm was intended to American targets and the border is leaking Al Quaeda members, they could have focussed on the fact that harm was averted and that Canadian security forces prevented anything from occurring regardless of location. The porous nature of our border means that terrorism doesn’t stop to determine exactly how intermingled Canada and the United States are. It just means that we are all vulnerable to those who use terror as a weapon.

I am emerald, I think

Well the irony of finding out what shade of green I am but not being able to tell what shade of green it really is. I am always asking people two questions. “What colour is this?” or “Do these clash?” Being colour tone deficient as a female gets a little tiresome when people almost inevitably ask, “Are you really colour blind?” Why would this be something that anyone would want to fake? That said I agree with the analysis. Mind you these ten question surveys are not likely to capture any true personality traits.

You Are Emerald Green

Deep and mysterious, it often seems like no one truly gets you. Inside, you are very emotional and moody – though you don’t let it show. People usually have a strong reaction to you… profound love or deep hate. But you can even get those who hate you to come around. There’s something naturally harmonious about you.

What Color Green Are You?

Brave or stupid?

Whenever I hear about older women being attacked or assaulted I automatically overreact. Perhaps it has something to do with having two rather feisty older ladies in my immediate family. Speaking of feisty ladies I read this story and shook my head. I can’t decide if this woman deserves my admiration but she certainly can take care of herself.

B.C. woman, 80, foils would-be robber

“An 80-year-old woman from Burnaby, B.C., gave a would-be robber more than he bargained for, fighting the man off when he tried to steal her purse.”

I especially like the part where, “As a parting shot, she kicked him in the backside as he ran away.” Can you imagine admitting to being taken out by an 80 year old lady?

Litany List

Well its been an eventful couple of weeks since I had posted last.

Last week I was house/pet sitting for my boss. I enjoy spending time with her dog, Batty but I forget how demanding animals can be. I live with two cats and a dog but I share them with three other adults. Batty insisted upon sleeping on the bed with me and then, despite my best efforts, she took over the bed (cat owners may snicker now). I had a “what the hell” moment when I realized that Batty had somehow over the course of the night managed to put on one of my bras. I had hung it over the bedpost and when I woke up Batty was wearing one of the straps as a collar.

Why does it always seem extra painful the day after a long weekend to come in to work? I had scheduled an appointment with a graduate student for 9:30AM yesterday. For some reason I had forgotten about Memorial Day being a work holiday. Being Canadian I am still a little bemused by American holidays. President’s Day? I think most Canadians would snort their coffee if they read that the Canadian government had declared a Prime Minister’s Day.

My week was going pretty well until today. I might be a little cynical when it comes to human nature so why is it when you are hit upside with the evil dealings personally it is always shocking. Now, I have worked very hard to develop a credit rating here in the US. For those who are unaware there are no links between Canadian and American banks. TD Waterhouse Investments notwithstanding. Ergo, trying to convince creditors to pay extra for a Canadian credit check is virtually futile.

Today I was very happy to see that my bank had deposited my monthly paycheque early. Upon further perusal I realized my balance was far too low. Calling my bank is always an exercise in patience. Calling my bank and hearing that somehow a mysterious $746.11 charge was in process pushed me beyond my limits. Hearing that even though I could assure them that I have neither purchased anything at Staples nor had lost my mind and travelled back from Indiana overnight, there was nothing my bank could do for me. When the charge went through I could dispute the charge.

(Not a verbatim transcript)

Me: So you are telling me that even though I never made the purchase you can’t stop the charge from going through.

Bank minion: No, the charge has to be processed before you can dispute the charge.

Me: How long is the dispute process?

Bank minion: Weeeelllll, that depends on whether the merchant disputes your dispute.

Me: Well I have already spoken to the store and apparently a man made this purchase yesterday evening at a Staples in Valparaiso, Indiana.

(Local) Bank minion currently looking at my bank record: Well where are you right now?

Me: ? How is that relevant? For the record I am in Houston, Texas and have never set foot in Valparaiso or Indiana for that matter. Also for the record I am not a man. Can I cancel the card so that no other charges go through?

Bank minion: Are you sure that you want to do that? It will take 7-10 business days for a new card to be issued.

Me: Yes, please cancel the card, will you mail the new card to my house?

Bank minion: Well, actually you will have to go into your branch to order a new card first.

Me: Unintelligible mumblings. Fine I will do that tomorrow. How long will it take for the charge to be posted so that I can call you to dispute the charge?

Bank minion: It could take 4-6 days for it to post. You will have to file the dispute at your bank branch too.

Me: This is the customer service line yes? What do you do? Other than tell me what I can’t do or will have to visit my branch to actually do.

Bank minion: Was that a question?

I am hoping against hope that the thief is as stupid as they are amoral. Apparently whoever was using my card numbers also decided to use their Staples Reward card at the same time. Must collect those points baby even when using stolen credit card numbers.