Want Another Reason to be Angry With the Government? Bill C-10

Earlier today I (hopefully) got you all jazzed up about copyright reform. I also mentioned online privacy. Bill C-11 and Bill C-30 are two pieces of legislation that are getting a lot of attention recently - and well deserved attention. There's one other current bill, though, that you'll want to pay attention to: Bill C-11. The Harper Government Omnibus Crime bill.

So what wrong with this bill? Well, mandatory minimum sentences for one.

Now, I know this is my second political themed post today, but I'm not going to pretend I'm any sort of expert in politics, even the parts I feel strongly about. So, as always, I'll leave the facts to the experts and give you a video on the subject:



To contact the Canadian Senate, go to:
http://www.parl.gc.ca/SenatorsMembers/Senate/SenatorsBiography/isenator.asp

Let's talk Copyright: Bill C-11

After all the hoopla about SOPA/PIPA last month, I wanted to put a little extra light on the fact that there is still a copyright reform bill out there that needs attention. Bill C-11 here in Canada.

At first, it seemed that a lot of people were talking about this bill. But then Vic Toews said this:



...And now it's all about Bill C-30 and online privacy. Now, don't get me wrong, I'm not crazy about that bill either. And by not crazy I mean it freaks me out and needs some major revisions to insure the new rules and measures aren't abused. Which it will be, no matter how much the Harper government says it wont be. (This rant on online privacy by Rick Mercer is genius, by the way) I just think it's way over shadowing a copyright bill that is seriously flawed and needs more people pushing to get those flaws fixed.

First of all, this bill gives us some new, great laws that allow us to legally do things like make personal back-ups of content we own. Unless there's a digital lock on it. They'd be illegal to break no mater what the reason for it. Because that make sense. On top of that, the lobbyists are pushing to add some very SOPA like language to the bill.

Michael Geist is a law professor, a copyright expert and all around smart guy with an extensive knowledge of this subject. Check out this video for much better, clearer, more accurate information on the subject:



Oh, and that link at the end? If you're a Canadian with concerns about this bill, you should go there: http://openmedia.ca/lockdown

The Devil Will Come

I recently won a five book prize pack (!!!) from HarperCollins Canada. This was the first one I read.

Devil Will Come by Glenn Cooper

If you liked Dan Brown's Angels & Demons , then you'll probably like this book. It has a lot of the same themes: Dead pope, conclave, secret society bent on destroying Christianity. That's as far as the similarites go, though, so even if you hated Angels & Demons you may enjoy this book. 

The story takes place in three time frames: The first century in Rome, Elizabethan England and the back to Rome in the present. The present day story centres around Elisabetta, a former archaeology student turned nun, who's thrust back into her old life when a crazy discovery is made in the ancient catacombs of Rome. One thing leads to another and suddenly it's a race against time to stop an ancient sect from destroying the catholic church. Also there are some disturbing bits about people with tails. It's not really the fact that they have tails that's disturbing, it's just...well there's this one scene...you know what, never mind. You'll just have to read it to try to figure out what I'm talking about.

On a scale from Totally Awesome to Horrifically Awful, I'd give it a Pretty Excellent. It was an easy read, I finished it in a little over a day, with action and adventure and history. I always seem to enjoy books that have a little real history built it. And, even though through the whole book you pretty much knew how it was going to end - not the exact details or anything, but the general gist of things - the ending still managed to be a surprise. I think that was the best part.

Music Monday: Ice Ice Baby

Some horrible classic music to start your week? Here it is!

Hope it makes you laugh.

No Robots

No Robots from YungHan Chang on Vimeo.

Food Rules by Michael Pollan - Animated

RSA Short film competition entry by Marija Jacimovic and Benoit Detalle

Happy Friday (number 2)! Tired of Winter Edition

It's Friday! Are you as tired of winter as I am? We haven't even had a bad winter - yesterday it was like, 7°C here - but I'm still tired of it. I want to sit on my deck in the sunshine and drink refreshing drinks, surrounded by lilacs.

That lovely looking thing is a Raspberry Beer Cocktail. Click on the photo for the full recipe. Doesn't it look glorious? Let's all drink these and pretend it's spring time.

Sounds like a plan to me.

Happy Friday! How about a Drink?

I'm not sure if today's drink sounds incredible or horrifying. It has Vodka, Kahlua, Tequila, Milk and Coke. Yes, coke and milk, together at last. Sounds terrible. I kind of want one. Watch the video and judge for yourself.

Music Monday: Who You Are

Don't lose who you are in the blur of the stars!
Seeing is deceiving, dreaming is believing,
It's okay not to be okay.
Sometimes it's hard to follow your heart.
Tears don't mean you're losing, everybody's bruising,
Just be true to who you are! -Jessie J

Today is Don't Cry Over Spilled Milk Day!

Shit Happens. Life is full of spills, crashes, falls and failures. No use crying over it. Pick yourself up, dust yourself off. Get a rag and wipe up the mess. While you're at it, have a bit of a laugh at yourself. It's no big deal - just a little spilled milk. Today is a day to recognize that everyone spills a little milk now and then. It's a day to think positive and find a little good in everything that happens. Face today with a smile. And if you spill a little milk? Well, I think you'll be ok.

Happy Friday! How about a Drink?

I love amaretto sours. I never drink them, but every time I do - wow! They are incredible. Sweet and sour - together!

Music Monday: Three Primary Colors

This Semame Street/OK Go collaboration is a stop motion extravaganza that's both informative and catchy. Seriously. It's been stuck in my head since I first heard it on Thursday past. Listen and watch, you'll find yourself singing, "There are three primary colors..." at random times throughout the day.

You're welcome. Why should I be the only one to suffer?

Seriously, though,  it's pretty good. Aside from the earworm thing.

Happy Friday! How about a Drink?

Have you ever had a Grasshopper? They are incredible. Minty and creamy and chocolatey - how could that be bad? FACT - It can't. Plus, I didn't know how easy they were to make. Let's all have Grasshoppers!