Happy New Year

Got up to see my Dad over Christmas. We traipsed around the countryside on the Saturday and Sunday before, taking photos. You can see Dad's over on his flickr account.

Orwell E-Texts

I've just been perusing a collection of George Orwell e-texts, starting with his criticism of Dickens, which was linked from one of my favourite personal blogs, slacktivist.

Also available is Orwell's fascinating Homage to Catalonia, an account of his experiences in the Spanish Civil War.

The Great Canadian Beard-Off

This Canada Day, I had a picnic with some friends, at which I took my beard off. This being such a significant occasion, I made sure it was well-documented.

(First two photos by me, the rest by Mel. Thanks, Mel!)


Mel and Kyle and Andrew and Mugg. Kyle set up a barbecue, and Mel (the chef) made us hot dogs. Mugg and Andrew are eating taralucci. There was much argument over whether taralucci are pretzels, biscuits, or something else. Well, not that much argument.



Before.



Scissors. My friends kept me entertained, quite possibly in an attempt to get me to stab myself with the scissors while laughing.



Lathering up.



It took me several goes to get rid of my curly beard. It was far more tedious that these photos indicate.



Mel thought I didn't look happy enough.



The end result.

Thus concluded the Beard-Off. Next year I might do the whole head, so watch out for that.

Harper Can't Take Own Medicine

Former Leader of Opposition Won't Listen to Opposition from Press

CBC reports: ``Harper says he's finished with Ottawa press corps''.

Update: CTV reports Harper says no one cares.

Sprinkling

Another sprinkling of photos from my hike a couple weeks ago.

Intention

On the fence outside the Toronto Fire Academy.

I do not remember this safety mascot from my youth. It's quite possible it's been hanging on that fence for longer than I've been alive.

Speaking of the fire academy, there are three large wooden(?) letters on the property that spell out ``ZOT''. Anyone know what the ZOT is for?

Lakeshore East

Some photographs I took while on a little hike Sunday.