tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-126649282024-03-07T00:27:06.216-08:00Ben's BlogA sort of goings-on.slightly-less-randomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829280701737906110noreply@blogger.comBlogger124125tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12664928.post-33222135180246015312009-01-25T16:51:00.002-08:002009-01-25T17:26:22.384-08:00People, Places, ThingsEverything has changed yet much remains the same.<br /><br />My previous post on this blog was two years ago, chronicling how I was fighting a highway expansion project. Since then I've moved to a new city in another country, taken on a new job, met dozens of new people, and generally kept on living.<br /><br />I've become an activist for a bicycle group, so I'm still encouraging alternative transport. I've taken up climbing in a big way, and through this I've met quite a few new people and had some great experiences but mostly got to know my buddy Zach. My enthusiasm for the sport has helped some of my friends to get into it too. I've taken up bicycling in a multitude of ways; as a past time, as a commute method, as a fitness aid, and for fun - just wait till you see some of my new tricks ;). And I feel that my work is more relevant now than it ever has been.<br /><br />Still, I've kept in touch with some of the people I used to know, particularly my old f00f tribe.<br /><br />I've gone away from and slowly am coming back to the old pleasures of technology, but in a more deliberate way. Linux is still good :) and so is programming for fun and profit. I'm still trying to feed my creative outlets; perhaps even more so now that I feel a lot more settled in San Francisco.<br /><br />That's enough for now. Hello again!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://slightly-less-random.blogspot.com/atom.xml">Atom feed</a>.</div>slightly-less-randomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829280701737906110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12664928.post-1163905045208784682006-11-18T18:05:00.000-08:002006-11-18T18:57:25.283-08:00Pounding the pavementThe <a href="http://spec.bc.ca/">Society Promoting Environmental Conservation</a> is running a petition to show the government how many people do care about the absurd waste of money that the gateway project represents. And lots of people do care, I met a great group of volunteers today who do care, we care so much that we all sacraficed our Saturday to run the petition. <br /><br />Canvassing was harder than I thought it would be. It can be pretty discouraging knocking on 10 doors and nobody's home, or didn't speak english, or "sorry this isn't my house", "I think you're wrong", "I don't like people knocking on my door", or talking with a voice on the other side of a cold video camera. Finally I knocked on the door of someone that did care, and knew the issue, and wanted to sign the petition. After that things became much easier; the knowledge that at least someone would sign was a real boost. In the end I filled my page with signatures. <br /><br />After meeting up with the gang again to trade war stories and clipboards I went home and drew a hot bath for my aching feet. Yes the bathwater was cloudy but it was so worth it.<br /><br />I'm looking forward to seeing some of these cool people at the <a href="http://gatewaysucks.org/">Gateway Sucks!</a> party on friday. Everyone is invited!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://slightly-less-random.blogspot.com/atom.xml">Atom feed</a>.</div>slightly-less-randomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829280701737906110noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12664928.post-1163393992097126182006-11-12T20:57:00.000-08:002006-11-12T20:59:52.120-08:00Letter to Kevin Falcon regarding Twinning of the Port Mann bridge and the widening of highway 1Right Honourable Kevin Falcon, Minister of Transportation<br />108-17700 No. 10 Highway<br />Surrey, BC<br />V3S 1C7<br /><br />Cc: Gregory Robertson, MLA Vancouver-Fairview<br /><br />Re: Twinning of the Port Mann bridge and the widening of highway 1.<br /><br />Dear Mr Falcon,<br /><br /> It has come to my attention that you plan to twin the Port Mann bridge and widen highway 1, with the intent of relieving traffic congestion over said bridge. We agree that something must be done, however I believe your plan will fail. Many cities in North America have taken a similar action in response to a similar problem; all of them have found highway expansion to be ultimately ineffective at controlling congestion. On what basis are you undertaking this action? <br /><br /> Have you considered spending money on new buses and transit infrastructure, such as commercial and transit-only lanes? With a stronger transit network, real estate development can occur at an increased rate within the town centres located across our region. Investment in public transit should occur well before any investment in new bridges.<br /><br /> I am concerned that you are helping to bring our cities towards more traffic congestion, greater risk of accidental death, and more pollution. If you can provide evidence that your proposed bridge and highway expansion will reduce traffic congestion over a 20-year period, then I will support your action.<br /><br />Please, reconsider your plans to twin the Port Mann bridge and expand highway 1.<br /><br />Sincerely,<br /><br />Benjamin Damm<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://slightly-less-random.blogspot.com/atom.xml">Atom feed</a>.</div>slightly-less-randomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829280701737906110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12664928.post-1163206911331964472006-11-10T16:55:00.000-08:002006-11-10T17:01:51.346-08:00Ruby happens [tech]Well it finally happened. After writing dozens of <a href="http://www.ruby-lang.org/">ruby</a> scripts over the last few years, several of them were merged into a module for entirely pragmatic purposes. And that means I'm a ruby programmer. In a last ditch attemt to save some face before finally admitting that ruby kicks butt enough for me to keep using it, I'm happy to report that all my little scripts run perfectly in <a href="http://www.rubycentral.com/book/">ruby</a> and <a href="http://jruby.codehaus.org/">JRuby</a>.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://slightly-less-random.blogspot.com/atom.xml">Atom feed</a>.</div>slightly-less-randomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829280701737906110noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12664928.post-1162968327776029462006-11-07T22:35:00.000-08:002006-11-07T22:45:27.790-08:00Raffi's on WikipediaWhile researching Canadian honourifics, I discovered that <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Raffi_Cavoukian">Raffi</a> has a page on Wikipedia. Maybe checking it out will bring back old memories like it did for me. Ahh, summer excitement at the children's festival!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://slightly-less-random.blogspot.com/atom.xml">Atom feed</a>.</div>slightly-less-randomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829280701737906110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12664928.post-1162495585440383212006-11-02T11:19:00.000-08:002006-11-02T12:46:52.626-08:00Postage: Letters to our MLAs?By Nov 8th I will have written a letter to Kevin Falcon and Gregor Robertson, both MLAs, regarding the issue of highway expansion. Have you, my dear reader written a letter to your MLA before, and do you know if the envelope requires postage?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://slightly-less-random.blogspot.com/atom.xml">Atom feed</a>.</div>slightly-less-randomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829280701737906110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12664928.post-1162336907352098762006-10-31T14:50:00.000-08:002006-10-31T15:21:47.443-08:00Happy HalloweenHappy Halloween people!<br /><br />This year I actually had fun with my costume and pumpkin. As halloween pre-weekend approached I almost chickened out of my costume - a skunk. But in the end I dressed up (twice) in a not very convincing but fun skunk costume. It was the first that I painted over my entire head for halloween; it's a lot of fun to go out into the city wearing bizarre skin and a tail. It was an appropriate level of fun & scary; not like last year where my costume was so convincingly scary that I became scared of myself.<br /><br />For the annual pumpkin carving festivities I was struck by an idea a few days in advance and did carve a genuinely scary pumpkin. Lesson learned; when the pumpkin starts to fight back then really, it's done.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://slightly-less-random.blogspot.com/atom.xml">Atom feed</a>.</div>slightly-less-randomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829280701737906110noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12664928.post-1161473032103021572006-10-21T16:08:00.000-07:002006-10-21T16:23:52.116-07:00Restoring BalanceThursday and Friday saw my first two yoga classes at Semperviva. It was a constructive way to end what began as a destructive week. With a mix of saying hello again to an old friend, spending time or at least talking with everyone in my close family, and spending time with some friends I've not spent time with lately, it was a fine way to begin to restore balance.<br /><br />Special mention goes to Lucas; he graduated from VCC's LPN (licensed practical nursing) program and got his license in the mail this week. You're my hero bro!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://slightly-less-random.blogspot.com/atom.xml">Atom feed</a>.</div>slightly-less-randomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829280701737906110noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12664928.post-1160263904744244932006-10-07T16:25:00.000-07:002006-10-07T16:31:46.533-07:00Welcome to Ottawa<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/slr/258227858/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/121/258227858_2cd74f85c5_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/slr/258227858/">Welcome to Ottawa</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/slr/">slightly-less-random</a>. </span></div>Once arriving in Ottawa, a few things stood out right away. One is that they have a network of roads that are dedicated to buses. Kind of neat. Another is that I can only eavesdrop on 1/2 of the conversations; many people speak French. After unpacking in my hostel I went to the <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Canadian_Museum_of_Contemporary_Photography">Canadian Museum of Contemporary Photography</a>. While there I spoke with <a href="http://www.ottawaentertainment.ca/images/alexandremattar.asp">Alexandre Mattar</a>, a phtographer who gave me the address of Paper Bag Junkies, a clothing store where he was showing his artwork. I did go to the store at one point and I quite liked his work.<br clear="all" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://slightly-less-random.blogspot.com/atom.xml">Atom feed</a>.</div>slightly-less-randomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829280701737906110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12664928.post-1160263154458816792006-10-07T16:12:00.000-07:002006-10-07T16:19:18.496-07:00Away from town; towards new unknowns. (Toronto to Ottawa)<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/slr/255935908/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/121/255935908_5b0c82fb34_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/slr/255935908/">Away from town; towards new unknowns.</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/slr/">slightly-less-random</a>. </span></div>Travelling by train from Toronto to Ottawa was a great way to go, very comfortable and speedy. Along the way there were many small towns, farms and forests - and one CANDU nuclear reactor! This trip was taken on Sept 2.<br /><br />While in the line up at the train station, I was chatting with a CTV journalist who was slightly dissappointed that I went to Niagara falls but not to the Niagara vineyards. She was from Montreal and said she came to Toronto in the 70's with many other angophones.<br clear="all" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://slightly-less-random.blogspot.com/atom.xml">Atom feed</a>.</div>slightly-less-randomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829280701737906110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12664928.post-1160111051311284402006-10-05T20:53:00.000-07:002006-10-05T22:04:13.886-07:00"We want to put a smile on your face and a chocolate bar in your pocket!"The other day I got on a bus, a #2 at around 6pm, heading from downtown to kits. Same as any other bus. I sat down and the driver pulled away. As we headed over the Burrard St. bridge, the driver introduced himself over the PA and announced that we were part of a program by Coast Mountain Bus Company to have more fun on the bus.<br /><br />This particular driver, John, was good at getting us all pretty excited about having more fun on the bus. He was going to ask a trivia question, and we would yell out an answer. After a few answers he would tell us which was right and we could walk up to the front of the bus and get a chocolate bar! Something about the driver put most people at ease and the peer pressure kind of dissolved. It helped that as he was describing what he was going to do, we started looking around and smiling at each other. After a round of clapping he got started.<br /><br />First question, how many volts does an electric eel zap with? The driver said higher or lower as people yelled out numbers and a woman sitting at the back with a friend was the first to get the right answer, and the first chocolate bar. 650V apparently, although <a href="http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Electric_eel">wikipedia</a> says 500 - but trifles really, since both could kill you. The driver asked her to say her name and what she does over the PA.<br /><br />Second question, which company has the largest advertising network in the world? Microsoft, Nike, Coca-Cola were all yelled out - the winner being an "office manager" with Coca-Cola. Third question was which toy company is the biggest? Nobody got the right answer - "No chocolate for you!" says John. And finally, how do you write 400 in roman numerals? I yelled out CD - which won me a trip to the front to tell everyone I'm a programmer and make my choice of chocolate.<br /><br />The bus pulled into my stop and everyone was pretty cheery, it sure worked to put a smile on my face! This happens every day, same bus and same driver - Bus #2, run #58, driver John. Great idea CMB!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://slightly-less-random.blogspot.com/atom.xml">Atom feed</a>.</div>slightly-less-randomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829280701737906110noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12664928.post-1159908852766077422006-10-03T13:47:00.000-07:002006-10-04T23:34:08.573-07:00Yes, they're desperate.Hi Name,<br /><br /> Thank you for writing me. Normally I only work for employers who know how to spell my name and use complete sentences. While I do not expect you to be a superb writer, I do expect that if you are interested in hiring me you would take the time to use full words. At the very least form a template with said words. Currently I am employed and not looking for work, thank you for your interest.<br /><br />Truly,<br />-Ben<br /><br />On Tuesday 03 October 2006 08:19, you wrote:<br />> Hi Benjiman,<br />> Please let me know if you are interested in the following req:<br />><br />> 1. Strong J2EE background<br />> 2. Implementation experience in atleast 1 IDM product ( any IDM product )<br />> 3. Candidate should be open to learn BMC IDM product and deliver the same in the project<br />><br />> Pls expedite<br />><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://slightly-less-random.blogspot.com/atom.xml">Atom feed</a>.</div>slightly-less-randomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829280701737906110noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12664928.post-1159467703754526032006-09-28T11:15:00.000-07:002006-09-28T11:21:43.846-07:00Niagara Falls<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/slr/249552365/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/85/249552365_12add1be5f_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/slr/249552365/">Lady of the Mist</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/slr/">slightly-less-random</a>. </span></div>While in Toronto I went with Monica, Jason and Noriko to see Niagara falls. I had been warned to watch out for cheese - and the tourist town just before the falls sure was cheesy! We drove straight through. What I was unprepared for was how many people are actually at the falls. This is a serious pilgrimage! There is a Tim Horton's at the falls, and we ate there. The other options are $7 for a slice of pizza or $15 for a BLT sandwich. Note for next time; pack a big lunch.<br /><br />The falls are massive alright. We ended up paying $11 to go to the tunnels behind the falls (there are portals behind the waterfall where you can see the falls from behind) and also to the viewing deck at the base of the falls. I'm happy we did that because the view from below really humbles you.<br /><br />It's a paradox, really; viewing the falls. On the one hand they are massive; and we are so tiny. It made me feel small and a little alone. On the other hand, our technology has slowed the falls erosion and harnessed the power of the falls to make electricity; we've built parking lots and a city and hotels and vineyards around the falls. We've reduced the falls from a natural wonder to a cultural curiosity. The falls generate power and dollars for our government; they are in our service.<br /><br />After driving back to Toronto we said goodbye and thank you to Monica, and wrapped up the evening with a bite to eat at Bowl and a walk down Yonge St. It was a great day!<br clear="all" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://slightly-less-random.blogspot.com/atom.xml">Atom feed</a>.</div>slightly-less-randomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829280701737906110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12664928.post-1159389632586351052006-09-27T13:34:00.000-07:002006-09-27T13:40:32.610-07:00Anousheh Ansari<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/spaceexplorer/252459120/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/107/252459120_8634b4e2c5_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/spaceexplorer/252459120/">APPLEDOESNOTFALL.jpg</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/spaceexplorer/">Space Explorer</a>. </span></div>Anousheh Ansari is part of the "Ansari Family", the people who funded the <a href="http://xprize.org/">Ansari X-Prize</a>. She's also the first space tourist to <a href="http://spaceblog.xprize.org/">blog</a> and <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/spaceexplorer/252459120/">post photos to flickr</a> from orbit!<br /><br />Personally I think this is fantastic, space tourism should be encouraged by everyone. This is because being up there might give more people an overpowering realization that yes, for all practical purposes, there really is only one earth; we better not screw it up too badly. People that can afford to be space tourists are people with a lot of influence. Bring on the space tourists!<br clear="all" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://slightly-less-random.blogspot.com/atom.xml">Atom feed</a>.</div>slightly-less-randomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829280701737906110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12664928.post-1158717582498529872006-09-19T18:53:00.000-07:002006-09-19T18:59:42.560-07:00Kathy 'n Monica<div style="float: right; margin-left: 10px; margin-bottom: 10px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/slr/246259962/" title="photo sharing"><img src="http://static.flickr.com/84/246259962_8a79abc435_m.jpg" alt="" style="border: solid 2px #000000;" /></a> <br /> <span style="font-size: 0.9em; margin-top: 0px;"> <a href="http://www.flickr.com/photos/slr/246259962/">Kathy 'n Monica</a> <br /> Originally uploaded by <a href="http://www.flickr.com/people/slr/">slightly-less-random</a>. </span></div>First day in Toronto! I'm torn between saying very little and saying a lot about my trip; so I'll start out saying a lot and see where that goes.<br /><br />When I arrived in Toronto Kathy and Monica (Rachael's sister and mom) met me at the airport and we went straight out for coffee. It was fun to finally meet Monica and see Kathy again! We sipped exotic coffee drinks and I gave out letters and chocolate that Rachael asked me to take to them. From one Ashe to another, hugs by proxy, etc. :) Transportation provided by Kathy's new lighting-proof car.<br /><br />We went back to Monica's home for a short stay before we went out to meet Jamie for dinner. Kathy has been working on a couple of knitting projects (socks, a poncho and a sweater if I remember correctly) each of which are remarkable for the type of wool chosen, especially the poncho and the socks.<br /><br />We went downtown and met Jamie at Cafe 668 on Dundas; fabulous vegetarian food! Of course we talked about Rachael, cameras, and hot peppers! Jamie happened to be in Toronto for a couple of days so we could meet up and say hello. Jamie and I were able to meet up again on Tuesday for lunch.<br /><br />After dinner we ran into a crazy lady who wanted a lighter, I'm not too sure what that was about but if you ever see me and Jamie or Kathy mumble something about "got a liiiighterrr??" and snicker then you know what we're going on about...<br /><br />After checking into my hostel I did a little late-night exploring of the local area. Can't possibly be that bad right?<br clear="all" /><div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://slightly-less-random.blogspot.com/atom.xml">Atom feed</a>.</div>slightly-less-randomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829280701737906110noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12664928.post-1158514392908302882006-09-17T10:30:00.000-07:002006-09-17T10:33:12.923-07:00Back!Hi folks! I'm back from my trip to Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and PEI. There are many good stories and photos to share, and it will take me a few days to get started with organizing them. It was a great trip but it's good to be back home!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://slightly-less-random.blogspot.com/atom.xml">Atom feed</a>.</div>slightly-less-randomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829280701737906110noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12664928.post-1157238410106690532006-09-02T15:55:00.000-07:002006-09-03T20:59:25.203-07:00Toronto!Hi! <br /><br />Yesterday I arrived in Ottawa after wrapping up the first leg of my tour de Canada. Toronto was great to visit! For me visiting Toronto was more about seeing specific people, and getting a feel for the city. Also this was my first hostelling experience and it was AWESOME!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://slightly-less-random.blogspot.com/atom.xml">Atom feed</a>.</div>slightly-less-randomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829280701737906110noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12664928.post-1156365132597197732006-08-23T10:34:00.000-07:002006-08-23T13:32:12.686-07:00Gearing up for the tripSunday morning I'll be flying out to Toronto for the first leg of my tour through Toronto, Ottawa, Montreal, and PEI. It seems like not enough time is left to properly clean up and pack! If I haven't already made plans, any time left before I go is dedicated to cleaning and packing.<br /><br />See you from the road!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://slightly-less-random.blogspot.com/atom.xml">Atom feed</a>.</div>slightly-less-randomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829280701737906110noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12664928.post-1155652163767380392006-08-15T07:21:00.000-07:002006-08-15T07:29:23.766-07:00Cartoon DreamingThe alarm clock woke me up from slumber this morning, in the middle of a strange dream. Well you know, the content is always odd but what set this one apart was the dream was an animation, kind of like bugs bunny but thinner lines, more "action" lines, and enlongated pen strokes.<br /><br />The dream was about someone I know being in a hospital and liking it, this person was zooming around the halls in their wheelchair. It's on my mind because several close people in my family have spent some time in a hospital lately.<br /><br />I can't explain the animation though, since I haven't really been reading or watching cartoons in the last few weeks. Except for one on the airplane, which I mostly ignored.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://slightly-less-random.blogspot.com/atom.xml">Atom feed</a>.</div>slightly-less-randomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829280701737906110noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12664928.post-1155566743469370852006-08-14T07:40:00.000-07:002006-08-14T07:45:43.496-07:00Knitta!Last week I hosted my first mini "stitch-n-bitch" ;). Rachael and Mandy came over for dinner, and Mandy introduced me to knitting basics while Rachael worked on some of her shots of Kirsti. Now I can start to appreciate the work that goes into knitting! Also I can start to appreciate the talent demonstrated by a few of the knitters I know, wow do I ever know some talented people. What twigged me to knitting is a new style of street art whereby people knit "pole socks" and leave them to decorate, well, poles. Parking sign poles, stop sign poles, etc. I can't wait to decorate my neighbourhood!<br /><br />Thank you Mandy!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://slightly-less-random.blogspot.com/atom.xml">Atom feed</a>.</div>slightly-less-randomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829280701737906110noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12664928.post-1155062669900460402006-08-08T11:25:00.000-07:002006-08-08T11:44:30.153-07:00Going against the grain: World peace?If you frequent flickr, then you may have noticed many people changing their icons over to a <a href="http://www.flickr.com/groups/mundouno_/">black ribbon</a>. This ribbon is meant to symbolize peace in the world, and it is a reaction to the Israel-Hezbollah conflict.<br /><br />I hate fighting and I hate conflict. I think war is ugly and unfortunate, and I wish there was no war. I can't imagine a world without war, mainly because I know war is caused by some very fundamental human desires. A community desire for control over it's own space, for example.<br /><br />Here's where I go against the grain. This black-ribbon icon is beyond silly, in fact, it is damaging to the goal of world peace. Changing user icons is doing nothing to gain peace, it is just taking part in a tribal identification ritual. At any given time, there is military conflict in the world, and often we don't hear about it until everything is over, if ever. This campaign of black ribbons seems to make the statement that things are worse now than they usually are. The last time I checked, there was still a war in Iraq, and a war in Afghanistan, and our own government is taking part in both of them.<br /><br />While I think the black-ribbon icon is silly, I do wish there was something real I could do. If anyone has some ideas for how to truly help world peace, I'm interested to hear them.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://slightly-less-random.blogspot.com/atom.xml">Atom feed</a>.</div>slightly-less-randomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829280701737906110noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12664928.post-1154453164110271802006-08-01T09:58:00.000-07:002006-08-01T10:26:04.210-07:00Give Everything AwayWhile on the bus yesterday I was playing with the idea of simply giving everything away and starting over. Of course I quickly realized that doing so is kind of silly - there is basic stuff that I'd want to keep (like plates and knives). Also it seems that just giving everything away without some kind of major life change attached (like moving) would be missing the point.<br /><br />Have you felt this need?<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://slightly-less-random.blogspot.com/atom.xml">Atom feed</a>.</div>slightly-less-randomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829280701737906110noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12664928.post-1153766324516335332006-07-24T11:31:00.000-07:002006-07-24T11:38:44.543-07:00What is Identity and Access Management?Online identity is what I've been building my career on (career phase II), and it is high time I say a bit about what this is. In its most essential form, identity and access management is all about logging on. Whenever you log in to a computer, you are taking part in a small ceremony of telling a computer who you are. There are many ways of doing this; using a username and a password is the most common.<br /><br />There are some problems with doing things this way, and they can be fixed. Allow me to focus a bit on what might be problematic for you.<br /><br />1) People forget passwords. It happens all the time, after all, how could you be expected to remember the hundreds of passwords you might have? But why do we have hundreds of passwords? Many people instead have one or two passwords they use everywhere. But what if you give that password away to someone you now wish you hadn't, or what if that password is stolen? It doesn't have to be this way, we don't have to have hundreds of passwords.<br /><br />2) People move. Changing your address shouldn't be so hard, and your address is certainly a part of your identity. Some people also change their names but still want their old identities to be tied to their new name, for example when they get married.<br /><br />3) You cannot revoke information once you've given it away. But you should be able to. There is no workable legal framework for doing this today, without spending a lot of time and money.<br /><br />These are some of the big issues in the identity space. There are another set of big issues if your perspective is one of website operator, such as a bank.<br /><br />So, this is identity and access management. All of the technology, protocols, and conventions around getting computers to recognize who someone is and managing the information needed to do that.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://slightly-less-random.blogspot.com/atom.xml">Atom feed</a>.</div>slightly-less-randomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829280701737906110noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12664928.post-1153494893690284012006-07-21T07:55:00.000-07:002006-07-21T08:14:53.753-07:00Deep-fried Mars barWhile eating at the <a href="http://www.dinehere.ca/restaurant.asp?r=83">Templeton</a> the other day, my lunch companion and I decided on a whim to try their dessert special of the day; a deep-fried mars bar. We were not entirely sure if we should be doing this, but it was the kind of silly thing that once the idea gets a little bit of momentum, just keeps going until its inevitable conclusion. The mars bars arrived on a plate, with whipping cream (needed) and with a bit of chocolate caramel sauce, just in case the sugary overload of a mars bar wasn't enough. There were even sprinkles.<br /><br />Sure there are nearly 6 billion people in the world and most of them can't eat deep fried mars bars, nor if they actually knew what they were would willingly do so, but right here there were two suckers that did it. About 5 minutes and most of the way through the mars bar, the edges of normalicy were well into peeling away. The combination of insane sugar rush and eating a chocolate bar with knife and fork resulted in said lunch party sitting stunned as fits of giggles took over. The crash was surprisingly not so bad; it was like being pulled back in a giant playground bungee ride and shot up into the sky, and just when you're about to fall back to earth you suddenly find yourself standing on two feet again without the harness on.<br /><br />But let's be clear on this, it was fun but something that only needs to be done once!<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://slightly-less-random.blogspot.com/atom.xml">Atom feed</a>.</div>slightly-less-randomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829280701737906110noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-12664928.post-1153329877869177832006-07-19T10:15:00.000-07:002006-07-19T10:24:37.886-07:00MetrobloggersYesterday I was invited to go to the <a href="http://vancouver.metblogs.com/archives/2006/07/meetup_wrapup.phtml">Vancouver Metrobloggers meetup</a>, and I had a great time! It was fun to meet some new people, play bocci ball, and be interviewed podcast style. Wow do I ever need to work on my interviewing skills, but that's really all part of the fun!<br /><br />As a post-note; It has been a long-time goal of mine (dating back several years at least) to become a morning person. Actually making it happen was much harder than just wishing it so. Lately it seems like this change is finally coming around to happening full-time, as I just seem to have a much easier time getting out of bed and putting myself to work right away instead of lounging about waiting for all the time to slip away.<div class="blogger-post-footer"><a href="http://slightly-less-random.blogspot.com/atom.xml">Atom feed</a>.</div>slightly-less-randomhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/14829280701737906110noreply@blogger.com1