Cut off by NBC

So my downloading days are over. For movies anyway.
I got the cease and desist order that's been making its
rounds from NBC. And they do nail the odd person so
I'm not taking any chances.



And I was just getting so good at it.
I finally understand codecs, SVCD and such
and they cut me off. Buggers. But I suppose it's fair.
But it still sucks. However, there are still lots of legal
torrents, with excellent documentaries and movies.
Older movies but legal to download. Oh well,


Re: Unauthorized Use of NBC Universal PropertiesNotice ID: (deleted) Sep 2006 07:17:22 GMTPlease be advised that NBC Universal and/or its subsidiary and affiliated companies (collectively, NBC Universal) are the owners of exclusive rights protected under copyright law and other intellectual property rights in many motion pictures and television programs, including the title(s) listed below (the NBC Universal Properties). NBC Universal diligently enforces its rights in its motion pictures.It has come to our attention that Telus Corporation is the service provider for the IP address listed below, from which unauthorized copying and distribution (downloading, uploading, file serving, file ""swapping"" or other similar activities) of NBC Universal's motion picture(s) listed below is taking place. We believe that the Internet access of the user engaging in this infringement is provided by Telus Corporation or a downstream service provider who purchases this connectivity from Telus Corporation. This unauthorized copying and distribution constitutes copyright infringement under applicable national laws and international treaties. Although various legal and equitable remedies may be available to NBC Universal as a result of such infringement, NBC Universal believes that the entire Internet community benefits when these matters are resolved cooperatively. We urge you to take immediate action to stop this infringing activity and inform us of the results of your actions. We appreciate your efforts toward this common goal.Please be advised that this letter is not intended to be a complete statement of the facts or law as they may pertain to this matter or of NBC Universal's positions, rights or remedies, legal or equitable, all of which are specifically reserved.Please send us a prompt response indicating the actions you have taken to resolve this matter, making sure to reference the Notice ID number.Very truly yours,Internet Anti-Piracy Team,Worldwide Anti-Piracy OperationsNBC UNIVERSAL100 Universal City Plaza 1220/2Universal City, CA 91608tel. (818) 777-4876fax (818) 866-2155

What constitutes a pet?

The one downside of moving to Alberta is
the fact we had to give up our cats, Squeak
and Samba. And we are now in a 'no pets
building'. And I got to thinking, what
constitutes a pet anyway?
Fur? Feathers? 4 legs?



I asked him about getting a cat - just in case
there was some little soft spot in him.
"No, I don't like no animals" he says.



So I thought what if I got a goldfish? How can
he tell me I can't have a little goldfish? Is
a goldfish considered a pet? An iguana?
Hamster? Gerbil?

I'll just get a little pet, surely that can't hurt.
Something with short fur and short legs.

Chocolate Fountains

So we tried out the Casino.
Doesn't do much for either one of us.
This is why we only once every 3 years.
We didn't win but it was OK for the
short time it lasted. Plus our limit is
only $20 each so you can't expect to
win too much with that.



But the best part of the night was the
way home. We stopped at a place
that had a Chocolate Fountain. I'm not
usually fond of buffets, but seeing it had
a chocolate fountain I was sold. The food
was actually pretty good. They had jumbo
shrimp, mussels, roast beast, ribs,
desserts, and best of all a chocolate fountain!
It was like some kind of fantasy. Endless flowing
chocolate and lots of things to dip in it. Good
chocolate too, not the cheap kind. There was a
constant group of women around the chocolate
fountain. I think the men were scared to approach.




Well, this of course means extra time on the gym set,
so off I go!

Snow in Alberta

Snow. Yes it's true. It took about
3 news reports and lots of people
telling me before I started to think
it may be true. Then I watched the
news. 45-60 cm in South Western
Alberta. And talk of it heading our way.
This fact does not please me.



On a brighter note, I got a promotion
at work already. I am going into the
accounting department next week.
I kind of lucked-out because the
girl that is currently in that position
is leaving. Kind of too bad because
she is really nice. They are a good
bunch. But it works out good for me.
They are planning on sending me
on a training course in Calgary.
Should be interesting, haven't done
too much accounting, just dabbled in
it here and there. Should be good
though, plus there are more
bonuses at that level.



Totally off the topic, watch a movie called
Hard Candy the other night. That movie
is not for the faint of heart. About a teenage
girl who traps a pedofile. A bit disconcerting
but sends a strong message.



Well, guess I'm off to look for winter clothes...

Dawson College Shootings

More shootings. More violence.

Kimveer Gill was a very angry, messed
up person. He hated everything as his
postings will attest to:

http://64.233.161.104/search?q=cache:Pa4WdORZYBMJ:www.vampirefreaks.com/profile.php%3Fuser%3Dfatality666+kimveer&hl=en&lr=&strip=0

and he took it out on the world.

It is very sad that Anastasia DeSousa lost her
life because of his anger. And more may yet lose
their lives. And so many injured and hurt.

But in the end Kimveer Gill did not suffer as he
cowardly put a bullet through his head. Some may
say the world is better off without him. But if I were
a family member of a victim I would want to see the
perpetrator answer for what he or she did. Instead of
taking the easy way out.

The car lives on!

The car lives on! After my amazing hubby R fixed
it of course. Power steering line broke. Then, believe it
or not, the other power steering line broke that night.
I didn't even know there was more than one. Then,
the car died. Right beside a funeral home. I kid you not.
Something about a fuel pump reset switch hidden in
the trunk, I guess that is common in Fords. If you
hit a pothole, swerve, or burp loudly this fuel pump
switch turns itself off. R discovered this while desperately
reading the car manual. Imagine - a car manual that
is useful! Even if the car isn't. Or wasn't. But we are
on the road again, maybe we will limit it to short drives
for now, get a new car in the Spring. A very smart friend
of mine says to avoid leasing so maybe we can save some
money and buy a new, or at least newer car.

Planning to see my cousin A and his wife in Grande Prairie for
Thanksgiving weekend. They are so sweet to think of us.
Haven't seen him in ages. His younger bro is thinking about
heading out to Alberta from Nova Scotia as well. Soon, I'll
have the whole family out here. Also hoping my friend T
comes out, he is thinking about it a tiny bit.

On a sad note, my brother lost a very good friend of his
recently due to a car accident, she was only 28. So young.
I feel really bad for my brother, he is a happy-go-lucky guy
and it breaks my heart to hear sadness in his voice.

Well, my exercise bike is looking at me and sending
guilt waves, bye for now

Maritimes, Alberta

I am amazed at how many Maritimers are
here in Alberta. I meet or speak to at least
one Martimer every day here. Most have
just moved here, just like us.



People ask me where in the Maritimes I
am from, they say I have a Maritime
accent. Funny, I didn't think I had
an accent. Actually, I expected
Albertans to have an accent, a sort
of twangy accent. And I don't see many
cowboys or cowboy hats for that matter
which is disappointing. Probably in Calgary.


R is out fixing the power steering line right now.
Ahh....our first car repair, how special. Can't
complain for a $1300 car though. Now that
we make more bucks we might soon bite the
bullet and get a new car. Maybe lease but
I don't know the ins and outs of leasing. Have
heard horror stories. Have also heard success
stories, so we'll see.



Bought a small gym set so when I don't feel
like going to Curves I can use the gym set.
Sometimes. If I feel like it. That's the secret
to not getting sick of exercising is to only
do it if you feel like it. And don't feel guilty
if you don't.



Another train going by. There is about
one every hour at night here. But we
were lucky to even get a place to rent,
the vacancy rate is so low here people
are living in tents, garages, treehouses.
Just joking about the treehouses but
it could be true. They do live in tents
and garages though. You could make
a fortune building and renting places
here.

Well, I smell the Lasagna is about done.
Chow.

Ikea Dog

By now you've probably heard the controversy over the Ikea ad.
Apparantley some folks out there think the dog has a
male appendage. Here is the pic that is making all of the hooplah.
I guess if you streeettch your imagination....but why would you
want to?

I got to wondering...how much of this goes on? There have been
other instances of such debauchery ...

Coke is in on it...

and so is Star Wars with their 1985 C-3Po trading cards

Some require a real stretch of the imagination...

Simba spelling sex by blowing leaves in the in the Lion King

And some are true:

On8 January 1999, Disney recalled the the home video

version of their 1977 animated feature The Rescuers

because it contained an "objectionable background image'.

(www.snopes.com)

Saturday cartoons will never be the same for me again.

Night on a Ranch

Just arrived home from a small town in Alberta
called Wildwood. R and I went there yesterday
and stayed overnight at a working ranch. We
had a beautiful log cabin smack in the middle
of their meadows. We visited and petted the
cows and talked to the sheep.

The cows
were very friendly, putting their heads through
the wood slats in the fence, trying to lick us.
They mooed at us when we left.
Or maybe they booed.

Later on when it cooled off a bit, we lit a
bonfire and roasted shish kabobs and
ate shrimp and dip. We had a few beers
for good measure. Then a couple more.
Just in case. And then Dessert :-)
Nice warm clear night.

Got to see different stars than at home. A different perspective anyway.

R saw Satellites which excited him of course.

They offered guests a ranch-style breakfast
but we were smoky smelling and grungy
so we just headed for home. I made a beeline
for the shower. Their water was weird smelling
so I didn't want to shower there. It smelled very
strongly of sulphur. That was the only downside
to our stay. But since we were there only one night
it didn't matter much.

Weird sighting of the day: On the way up to the ranch
yesterday, I of course, had to stop to tinkle on the way.
For those who do not know me - I have a filter rather
than a bladder. So, we stop at a Shell Station. Into
the bathroom I go. And on the wall, in large letters,
is a sign from the management:

"If you are a non-paying customer and are using our
washroom facilities, please leave a 25 cent donation
on your way out. This will help to defray costs
associated with septic removal."
Wow. They want you to pay to tinkle. How tacky.
I wonder if that is even legal? What would Shell
head office say to that? I did not leave a penny.

Head On

Head on - apply directly to the forehead
Head on - apply directly to the forehead
Head on - apply directly to the forehead

Does anyone else find this like the most
annoying commerical on earth?