What andy said . . . .

Remember: Bad Movie Night @ Pam's.
Tonight, 8:30 PM

Word.

not to rain on your parade, Par, but someone on CBC radio did the same postal service experiment in Canada, except they included stamps on all items... and all items were dropped anonymously in mail boxes... He even went to lengths to record (sound) his mailing of each item. There was a can of Chunky soup, a pair of sneakers (only one received), um... a hammer, a feather duster, a pot... the similarities are rather overwhelming (except he received way more of the items than this crew did, and none of them were inspected by the food and drug people). I can't remember which program it was through now either.... something like DNTO, Tapestry or another Saturday/Sunday afternoon show. It was rather silly to listen to, but entertaining all the same. Maybe the show with Promo Girl... I remember her being involved (like having to pick up the mail or something like that)...

email me a copy eh?

Oi. Reading your own report over and over again sucks. On the bright side, I might be sitting on the cure for insomnia here. w00t.

Postal Experiments:

Helium balloon: The balloon was attached to a weight. The address was written on the balloon with magic marker; no postage was affixed. Our operative argued strongly that he should be charged a negative postage and refunded the postal fees, because the transport airplane would actually be lighter as a result of our postal item. This line of reasoning merely received a laugh from the clerk. The balloon was refused; reasons given: transportation of helium, not wrapped.

Well, Al, I'm glad we could surpass your expectations.

So... We're rich! We're rich! We're rich! We're rich! We're rich! We're rich! We're rich! We're rich!

Ahem. What's most interesting about that article isn't so much that Alberta has a record surplus this year (I mean, we've all seen the price of oil; it'd be difficult not to expect a huge windfall from that.) No, the juicy bit is that, for years, oil companies have been investing in the oilsands project and have been able to count that investment against royalties. Basically, investment lets them reduce their royalty payments to the province. With oil so high, though, they're making so much money that they're running out of credit.

All that basically means that the province isn't just making more money because of the price, but will be making even more because they'll be able to collect full royalties and corporate taxes.

Maybe now we'll build that Scrooge McDuck-style swimming pool...

(That reminds me. I keep forgetting to post Lewis Black's brilliant rich-guy one-up-manship(.avi))

Sad news, Moog fans

Synth pioneer Dr. Robert Moog dies at 71

Well I don't really like to be totally caught off guard, but I was. I wasn't expecting so many people to show up and all those presents you guys got me. I have to thank my sister who somehow let this all slip past me. Man! I thought I was sneaky, well the bar has been raised. So I would like to thank everyone who showed up and for those of you who didn't I could keenly feel your spirits with us. So thanks for the presents and for being there!

so...yeah, happy birthday Albert and Eric, hope you enjoyed your days.


I went to my first full-on wedding of two friends (yeah, Beck and Keri, yours doesn't count because you eloped!). It was actually a very awesome experience. Trish looked beautiful, and Scott looked just fabulous, and together, they were so happy, I couldn't imagine a better pairing if I tried. And then, we (all the friends) went off to BPs to while away the afternoon, which was also great (haven't seen some of them since last fall), and then to the reception/huge party at the community hall down a gravel road... so much fun, so much free alcohol, so much dancing, and stories, and hugs, and smiles. oh, it was wonderful. And I camped out at the hall (tough to do with the dance still going on, but somehow I managed), and hung out with some of them in the morning as well. haha! Jeff (one of the friends) said that they (him and his gf) figured I was the best bet for the next wedding (because we all were enjoying seeing everyone again... and wanted more weddings) hmm, perhaps I should start working on that... :) but anyway, no use musing about friends y'all don't know about... all in all, though wonderful experience. I didn't expect to cry, but I did, and I haven't felt so happy in quite a while. it was truly fabulous.

I can't believe, though, how much of the wedding was done by themselves or their families. The flowers were all grown at a couple of aunts' houses, the hall was decorated by the couple and friends, the invitations done by the sister of the bride, the chocolates given away as favours were made by another aunt, the butterfly doilies (oh my goodness, 2 per table, with about 30 tables) were all crocheted by the bride's mom and were going to be made into a table cloth afterwards, the food was catered by the bride's mom, an uncle made all the wine (sooo goood!), and the list goes on. I can't imagine. really, it was phenomenal... and so not going to happen if I ever have a big event like that. it'll be hired catering (or pot-luck) all the way! not to mention no doilies, holy shit. you should've seen them...

anyway, I'm done now. only a week and a half left. Woo hoo! enjoy the rest of your summer, I'm sure I'll drag whatever miserable fall weather we're to have with me as I drive East.