Keeping myself busy. Cisse Returns!

All this working makes for pretty dull Blogs. My only major excitement of late has been pounding things in boxing class and trying not to cheat too badly on my new diet regime. Still planning to visit Peru this summer, but haven't done any of the prep work!

In Liverpool news, Djibril Cisse may be back for the end of this season after breaking his leg (horribly) last October! This is amazing!

And a followup...

A comprehensive new study has concluded that recent global development has lead to a overall global decline in the sustainabililty of the world's ecosystems. For those playing at home - this means what has been good for granddad is going to be bad for grandson. This most comprehensive survey ever into the state of the planet concludes that human activities threaten the Earth's ability to sustain future generations, with fisheries and freshwater supplies already being pushed beyond sustainable levels.

Man's S-T Profit; Nature's L-T Loss

It's scenarios such as the story that follows that upset and frustrate me when thinking about our increasing dependency on agribusiness as the primary food supply. Why do we permit fish-farming in open water? The story in question relates to a team of scientists who have linked farmed fish to an outbreak of deadly sea lice, destroying the wild salmon fishery.

Kewell Going? Easter Weekend report.

Reports are that Bayern Munich is looking to snap up Harry Kewell. The German Champions League quarter-finalists have been watching with interest as Kewell's relationship with manager Rafael Benitez has hit rock-bottom - and personally I can't wait for it to be so... it's time to dump this lame duck Aussie who has no heart for the game.

As I'm all congested now, my main recollection of this past weekend is that it was snot-filled... it certainly passed by quickly. I have very little recollection of Friday... I think it was spent in bed with chest congestion although I do believe we made it out for a games night. Saturday was spent getting ready for Dan and Javita's Jack and Jill (where I did suprisingly well defending my stake in Blackjack). Sunday Karina and I attended a Partner's Easter Egg Hunt (which was amusing) and then headed up to Matthew's place for Easter Dinner.

This week looks to be a fairly busy one as I have many different projects and proposals on the go... but nothing that is outrageoous. Tomorrow I have a big meeting for one of the larger projects I have currently underway.

Man, my head is congested. Maybe a long run at the gym will help... I'm overdosing on vitamin C.

Igor, Please don't go.

Igor Biscan today admitted he's unsure what his future holds... please keep our Croatian Dalmatian, Rafa!

Crazy busy today as my postponed jobs have started to catch up with me, I haven't managed to get the general admin tasks I have complete and I am really sore... likely a result of overtraining this week. Plus Cashin blew me off for lunch. The weekend - but a few hours away - still seems an abstract concept.

Congrats to N*al!

Texas: Bigger than France.

It is you know. Got to love those Texas T-Shirts from across the Lone Star State. How do I get one?

Research on Calcium Supplements

You asked how to take calcium supplements. The answer is that it depends on the type of calcium, but the doses and methods of ingestion are listed in the article above. Yes, it's true, sometimes I do listen.

Fraser River salmon fishery close is to collapse

A House of Commons fisheries report has declared the Fraser River fishery close to collapse. The lucrative sockeye salmon fishery on B.C.'s Fraser River is on the verge of collapse as a result of low spawning numbers last year. This could mean an end to sockeye fishing on the river by 2008. The committee blasted Fisheries and Oceans Canada for failing to ensure conservation or implement recommendations in previous reports and says the disaster could have been avoided. And we would have hoped that this lesson has been learned.

Old News: Chelsea's Loss for 2004.

Premiership leaders Chelsea made the 'biggest ever' loss in 2004. The club's wild spending on transfer fees lead to a record pre-tax loss of £88m having spent £175m on new players last season, more than doubling its annual payroll to £115m. In comparison, supposedly deep pocketed Man U had a wage bill of just over £42m in 2004 (although I once heard claims it was £92m).

Tom's favourite 20 albums

Tom Waits has listed his favourite 20 albums for The Observer. Then they cheated and had Tom list nine more for their online content. Surprises in the Waits list? The Pogues and Sinatra. But is Tom America's Most Cultish Hero?

Kofi Annan seeks thorough UN overhaul

The proposals are designed to ensure the UN, which was shaken by the bitter debate over the war against Iraq, remains at the heart of world security.

The UN must be brought in line with 'today's realities', Mr Annan said. The reform proposals come at a time when the world body faces criticism over its management of the oil-for-food programme in Iraq and allegations of sexual abuse by UN peacekeepers in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Liverpool defeats Everton

Sunday's much anticipated Merseyside Derby match didn't disappoint - it especially didn't disappoint Liverpool fans. The REDS defeated Everton decisively 2-1, going up 2 goals in the first half while also incurring numerous injuries to the team. Warnock, Hamann and Morientes all needed to be subbed after incurring injuries - does the team need a new phsyio? The end of the game was quite dramatic after Milan Baros (once a favourite player) incurred a bonehead red card and the final minutes saw the REDS fighting off an Everton side looking to steal the LFC win.

Giant WWII Japanese sub found off Hawaii

The Globe and Mail reported today that a Giant Japanese sub was found off Hawaii. The wreckage is of a large Second World War-era Japanese submarine - an I-400 Sensuikan Toku class sub, the largest sub built before the nuclear ballistic missile submarines of the 1960s. These subs were designed to ship and launch bomber aircraft.

A research team from the University of Hawaii discovered the I-401 submarine Thursday during test dives off Oahu. "We thought it was rocks at first, it was so huge," said Terry Kerby, pilot of the research craft that found the vessel. "But the sides of it kept going up and up and up, three and four stories tall. It's a leviathan down there, a monster."

Sounds kind of interesting? Like there might be some convert operation now revealed in the final days of the war? Well, I'm sorry to say that a few minutes of research has shown that this sub was taken as a prize and sunk up the US in '45. It never saw action aside from being attached by US aircraft while in drydock. So the "researchers" really haven't shown us something novel here. What a disappointment.

Champions League: Reds get Juve

In the next round of the Champions League, Liverpool will face Italian side Juventus for the first time since the Heysel tragedy in 1985. And if Liverpool overcome the challenge of Juventus then they will progress to a semi-final meeting with either Chelsea or Bayern Munich. Phil Chapell, you are wrong again.

Blogger Blues

My Blog account is problematic these days... my quick post yesterday failed, so no doubt there was great disappointment for avid readers. Whats more, I can't recall what I blogged yesterday.... it ended with a "I'm very busy" comment, but I can't remember what article I hooked onto.

It may have been about Liverpool, who are set to play Everton on Sunday in what will be their most important game of the season as next year's Champions League or possibly Europurean play altogether is on the line.

Last night's St. Patty's Day celebrations were fun... I may admit to having a few pints of Guinness. The hall was jam packed and friends just made it in by buying scalped tickets. Tonight the plan is to take a certain lady out for dinner at Serra and then head to the Gladstone for some techno Bangra music in support of U of T's Nursing program.

The Espresso has kicked in.

Following my daily routine of surveying different websites as I eat breakfast at my desk, I didn't find any stories that particularly fired my imagination to include on this site. This put me in mind of the fact that I haven't done a "Ben - What is he thinking?" piece in quite a while.

On the promised Edmonton report. As it's now been 2.5 weeks since I returned from Edmonton (and the carpet-bombed postcards are reaching intended recipients), I don't think I'll be writing anything too comprehensive. So here follows a very quick summary of the trip... The flight on Westjet was fine (it's a bus)... the airport is much too far away from the city..the hotel had a great fully stocked gym... food in Edmonton is mediocre (with the exception of Earl's where I had an excellent warm Spinach salad)... Earl's young wait staff are perhaps not hired for their waitressing assets (nice heels)... my many meetings seemed to go very well although I have yet to actually close a sale (several are pending)...my tour guide Kevin was of great assistance and I hope we'll be able to make some big projects work between us... the West Edmonton Mall is a very large mall (I was unimpressed)... saw the movie Sideways and enjoyed it, but the more I think about it, the less I'm enthusiastic about it... the wine list at the Hotel was terrible.

I haven't been successful keeping up with my pop-up task list today as I'm now at 11 tasks to complete and the tally keeps on rising. Work continues to be very busy as I am now working on large projects in pilot, large projects in production and continuing to pound out marketing and new sales materials. Keeping abreast of all the different activities on the go is proving to be quite a challenge. The general atmosphere at Infoware these days is very much "nose to the grindstone".

Amanda is going to join me at Humberto's tonight to see what the workout is like - I think she's already a little leery of what she's getting herself into. My workout regime over the last few weeks has been much better, which has been good both for mind and body. I think it will be many weeks (months) yet before I am able to start blading to work. Tomorrow we (K and many others) are headed to St Lawrence Hall for St. Patty's day celebrations... the Quinns have ordered 100 kegs of Guinness. Friday we're headed to the Gladstone for some Bangra music in support of UofT's Nursing Program.

Ebbers guilty of Worldcom fraud

Bernie Ebbers was been found guilty of fraud. Former Worldcom chief Bernie Ebbers has been found guilty of conspiracy and fraud in connection with the collapse of the telecoms company which evaporated $180B from shareholder portfolios. Ebbers directed an $11 billion fraud that triggered the largest bankruptcy in U.S. history. He was convicted with only his CFO, Scott Sullivan, directly implicating him. Although Sullivan did not provide a "smoking gun" in the form of substantiating documents or corroborating testimony from eyewitnesses, the jury was evidently swayed by a mound of circumstantial evidence. Ebbers had tried the "I'm just a simple caveman" defence.

Getting nervous, Mr. Lay?

Evite Advertisements

This could be funny or just plain wierd - when I accepted a Stag and Doe Evite, I was treated to an ad for ORTHO TRI-CYCLEN LO (birth control).

Amazing Healing Powers of the MIGHTY REDS

Spanish Midfield Sensation Xabi Alonso could be fit in time for the second leg of the Champions League Quarter Finals. This is a huge boost for Liverpool fans ahead of Friday's Champions League draw.

Alarm! Alarm!

The dangers of blogging is starting to enter the public conscienceness. Yes, it is probably true that blogging on the job could be dangerous - but didn't we already know that loose lips sink ships?

Tom Waits to Tour!!!!!

Rumours are that Tom Waits is to Tour! There's nothing official on the ANTI site, but the Waits faithful (who are legion and painfully cool) have casually tracked THE MAN down and GOTTEN THE WORD. [This message followed by much rejoicing]. Exciting news for Tom Waits fans in North America!

Ukiyo-e Prints

Prints by Naoko Matsubara definitely go on my "Big Wish" list. If I can crack my next sales target, perhaps I will treat myself (after I treat K of course - if she deserves it at the time - and after I settle my debts). I particularly like the prints "It is the earth they fight", "Lines of Force" and "Rising and falling walls of water-organ swells of whispering foam".

City manager Keegan 'leaves club'

Liverpool legend Kevin Keegan is leaving his Manchester City coaching position.

Axworthy talks about Canada's Refusal of US Missile Defence

Former Canadian Foriegn Minister Lloyd Axworthy submitted an open letter addressed to Condi Rice to the The Winnipeg Free Press. I think it fairly states part of the Canadian Point of View on the US and the role of nations.

Champions Football: Liverpool set to go through?

Liverpool lead 0-2 at the BayArena and look set to go through to the next round of Champions League play... Bayer Leverkusen must score 5 goals in the second half to survive.

I am having a hell of a time getting my work done today.

Mandatory Reading?

This goes in the "pretty odd" category. Police officers in Mexico City, one of the most crime-ridden capitals in the world, have been told they must read at least one book a month or forfeit promotion. Mayor Luis Sanchez believes he can fight low standards in the force by encouraging higher levels of literacy.

This just in: King Tut not Murdered

After some forensic analysis, experts reported to BBC News that King Tut died from a broken leg.

Whatever the case, Mr Hawass, chairman of Egypt's Supreme Council of Antiquities, said he was confident that Tutankhamun, who died in 1352 BC, was not murdered.

'We don't know how the king died, but we are now sure that it was not murder. Maybe he died on his own,' he said.

'The case is closed. We should not disturb the king any more. There is no evidence that the young king was murdered.'

With that said, I guess I'd better get some work done - but I will certainly sleep easier tonight with this news!

Another Summer of Gerrard Exit Rumours?

If Sky Sports is to be believed, we are in for another summer of Gerrard exit concerns. Liverpool's Captain is the cornerstone of the team... an immediate future without him seems inconceivable.

Cuz, I'm a Believer?

In eight panes, Doonesbury sums up so much. If you haven't had a chance, I recommend that you check out last year's The Fog of War. I would have said "Oscar Winning", but that is meaning less and less these days.

Sigh.

To start, Liverpool lost on the weekend. And I lost my temper for the first time in a long time. I knowingly stomped on a friend. And the Parent PC upgrade didn't go as well as hoped. I may see my girlfriend again at some undetermined date. I have a ton of projects to attend to. Bush is still in the White House. I have no groceries. It's 5 past 9 on Monday. It's another week.

FA under fire for Cup alterations

The English FA has decided that in order to allow for more time to train the English National team, next year's FA Cup tournment will be shortened with replays removed. This is nonsense! The Replays must be played! Without question it is in the interest of the FA to have as many matches as is reasonable as this is the best way for the smaller clubs to make some significant revenue and it makes for a work exciting competition.

If the FA is willing to pare down the competition, they should just cancel the whole mess and then resign themselves to the fact that the English Football leagues are doomed to become a top league of perhaps 6-8 teams and then a whole bunch of amateur sides. This is bad for the sport and I would expect only lead to the further collapse of quality football programs in the UK.

I am here.

But don't have much time to throw some details into my Blog. An Edmonton report will follow at some point.