don't shoot the pianist

Why, hello to you too

theProject — Mon, 14 Jun 2010 04:44:32 +0000

Seen at the Serbia vs. Ghana World Cup match this morning:

I like technology

theProject — Sun, 23 May 2010 00:26:28 +0000

As it would have happened twenty years ago: my cousin gets engaged, her parents let my parents know, and I find out from family.

Today: my cousin gets engaged, updates her relationship status on Facebook, I find out five minutes later and let my parents know.

Where your treasure is

theProject — Sun, 31 Jan 2010 11:00:00 +0000

Well, it’s happened again. A working-class man spends a few dollars on a lottery ticket and wins big. With the new-found wealth, his life changes completely. And not for the better.

A pie for a pie

theProject — Sat, 30 Jan 2010 04:11:35 +0000

After Minister of Fisheries and Oceans Gail Shea was pied in the face during a speech earlier this week, I thought to myself: “Wouldn’t it be great if someone gave PETA a taste of their own medicine?”

January 27, 1980

theProject — Wed, 27 Jan 2010 11:00:00 +0000

It was thirty years ago today, in the midst of the American embassy hostage crisis, that six American diplomats were successfully exfiltrated from Iran. In would become known as the “Canadian caper”, the escapees had been sheltered at the official residences of Canadian ambassador Kenneth Taylor and immigration officer John Sheardown.

Lessons I learned the hard way, cont’d

theProject — Mon, 25 Jan 2010 14:00:00 +0000

New skates should be sharpened before being used.

I decided to take my new blades to a public skate at Kingsgate Ice Arena out in Kirkland yesterday afternoon, and figured I’d get there a half hour early so I could get my skates sharpened beforehand. As luck would have it, the arena shop was closed until a half hour before the session ended. The rental office didn’t have hockey skates in my size, so I figured I’d skate around until the shop opened up.

Black is the new … black

theProject — Sun, 15 Nov 2009 07:44:06 +0000

I’m usually the last person to notice something like this, but … does the Hamamatsu have some sort of dress code I don’t know about?

I mean, what gives? Is this supposed to be a piano competition or a funeral?

Read more on Black is the new … black…

Stat of the day

theProject — Sun, 08 Nov 2009 03:00:00 +0000

I’m getting claustrophobic just looking at this:

“A thorough government survey in 1987 … estimated that 33,000 people resided within the Walled City’s area of 6.5 acres.”

Given a limit of fourteen stories on buildings (imposed due to nearby Kai Tak Airport), that works out to a maximum 120 square feet of land per person—and that’s making the absurd assumption that every square inch was used as liveable space.

This could go on forever

theProject — Sun, 25 Oct 2009 11:00:00 +0000

I’m beginning to see why reporters love Brian Burke. See if you can follow this:

Toronto Maple Leafs GM Brian Burke made some comments regarding a trade rumour that (inadvertently, we are led to believe) became public, and the Vancouver Canucks alleged tampering on the part of the Leafs. The NHL addressed the complaint and ordered both sides to “refrain from further public comment”.

Read more on This could go on forever…

Let's hear those scales

theProject — Fri, 09 Oct 2009 11:00:24 +0000

I have to say, this is an interesting take on the floor piano idea.

I only wish it was capable of something more than the F-sharp major scale. (Actually, those of you with perfect pitch will notice that the fellow who starts walking up the stairs at 0:41 is accompanied by the right notes. I wonder why everybody else gets F-sharp major?)