May 31, 2008
Jim Thorpe, Pennsylvania
Here’s to “life, liberty, and the pursuit of happiness…”

* rant alert *
I have opined time and time again that U.S. border guards (at both airport and land points of entry) are ill-informed, inconsistent, and have far too much discretionary power.
Here’s another example of what I’m talking about:
U.S. border guards bar skilled Canadian from his job - CBC, March 31, 2008
Technician says increased [...]

As seen while running an errand in Oakland today.

I was reviewing some transactions done in the U.S. last weekend, and it was more than a little odd to see that I pay LESS in Canadian funds than I would in greenbacks. It’s been more than 30 years since the Canadian dollar was worth more than the U.S. dollar. I was only a wee’un [...]

I almost didn’t make it to my first screening at the annual Toronto International Film Festival. I arrived home early from work today (top-secret work mission accomplished, by the way!) and tried to nap before heading back out again, but I’m not very good at naps. I’m good at crashing, passing out, falling fast asleep, [...]

Pentax K-1000
50mm f/1.7
December 26, 2006
Centro Habana
Havana is a photographer’s playground, especially if you like vintage automobiles. These aren’t show cars, either, they’re necessary forms of transportation in a country where it’s virtually impossible to buy a vehicle because of the import and ownership restrictions, and that’s before cost considerations! (The average Cuban salary is in [...]

I travelled to Cuba on a week’s notice and went to the U.S. in the interim, so I didn’t have as much time to research as I would’ve liked. It’s my first time to the country, and while I find it is always better to research first there are times when I just “wing it”. [...]

First read on Homeland Stupidity, linked to the Washington Post:
Apology Note
Wednesday, November 29, 2006; 2:38 PM
The United States of America apologizes to Mr. Brandon Mayfield and his family for the suffering caused by the FBI’s misidentification of Mr. Mayfield’s fingerprint and the resulting investigation of Mr. Mayfield, including his arrest as a material witness in [...]

I missed yesterday’s election in Canada, but I’ve been trying to keep up with the happenings through people’s blogs (because I loath advertising that much that I avoid commercial sites for even something as important as political process). I listened to public radio in the car but heard nothing about it there, and if it [...]

When I rolled into town the other Friday, somebody told me I arrived just in time for the BC Elections. Oh great, it looks like I’ll be cramming for info on the internet later tonight, because I’ve not been keeping up on what’s been happening in BC while I’ve been away.
Thankfully my father’s a big [...]