Wick's flame fading fast

The London Free Press reports the end of an era. "The Wick, as it's sometimes called, has been a downtown fixture since it was built in 1855, its rooms steeped in history if not grace.
Now, the owner has applied for a city demolition permit, a request staff are backing. "
Kind of sad actually but likely overdue. I was in there about a year ago and I gotta tell you, it's not what it used to be.
"With its wooden beams warping, its upper floors condemned and much of its original material unusable, heritage activist Joe O'Neil said he won't oppose the owner's bid to demolish it. "
You know it's bad when the heritage dudes won't even step in to save it.

The WebCam is Back

It took a bit of work but I finally sorted out the problems I was having with my streaming webcam. It seems to be working again so feel free to take a look. For the most part it's pretty boring but, a few hardcore cat lovers seem to tune in on a regular basis to see how Suzie is doing.

Iced Coffee anyone ?

Apparently it's official. Jerry Sweet has moved to Yellowknife Northwest Territories. He hopes to eventually open a coffee shop and he's looking for help naming it. For now though, Jerry is working on dyi projects in his new home. You know painting, dry wall. Insulation no doubt and perhaps roof repairs.
Jerry reports the night he arrived (only night according to the clock by the way since he says the sun thought about setting then changed it's mind), anyhow, that first night the cat was keeping him awake so he let it out. Guess it hasn't come home yet. Jerry feels it may have run off with or perhaps is now contained in some of the local wildlife.

But the good news is, they have a spare. Far more frightening than the fauna, impending cold and 24 hour darkness in my opinion is the fact 24 cans of Kokanee beer cost $52.00. Sheesh. Due to the permafrost, the high speed internet pipe freezes up on occasion so contact is a little difficult but feel free to drop him a note at: jerry@jerrysweet.com.

I'm thinking of resurrecting my blog. It's been a long time since I made an entry and this is actually just a test to see whether I remember how. My live webcamera is back on line, check it out at Click Here.

Subliminal Advertising:

It's been a long time since I heard about subliminal advertising. I knew it existed once and always thought of it as a failed experiment. Apparently not. Check out this examination of an Iron Chef episode on the Food Channel. Spooky! Hey, Guv maybe you should consider subliminal ads on www.deaconswebsite.com What do you think? You're big on swf files.

Guardian Unlimited reports: "Security at the Prime Minister's residence is under review after an intruder armed with a large kitchen knife managed to climb into a secure area outside Downing Street." Thank goodness someone was watching the back door. It's certainly safer at Downing than at the Canadian PMs home at Sussex Drive. Mind you that was back in 1995. Hopefully it's a little more secure now.

Crocodile Hunter Dead at 44

From Australia Broadcasting Network. After all those years of handling crocodiles and venomous snakes, he apparently was killed by a sting ray. "His producer and close friend John Stainton says he was swimming above a stingray on Batt Reef when it suddenly pierced his heart with the barb on its tail. Very sad, I thought he was a very interesting and entertaining guy.

Moosehead now Largest Canadian Owned Brewery

According to CBC News , Moosehead is now officially the largest Canadian owned brewery. How sad is that? "With the impending sale of yet another major brewery to foreign interests - this time Ontario-based Sleeman Breweries (TSX:ALE) to Sapporo of Japan - the Canadian brewing industry is all but dead." My own beloved brand Molson Canadian has been spirited away by Coors. Does this mean that in Smoky and the Bandit IX Burt Reynolds will be doing a beer run to Montreal. "Mon Dieu!"

The Tax Man Cometh

Well it's 5 days until the deadline for filing. We're allowed until June 15th. to submit the first business income tax return and to be honest my procrastination tendancies are showing. The amount of paperwork is daunting to say the least. Hopefully if I get everything right, there won't be a huge tax bill but, we'll need to see.
Usual Saturday. Full breakfast, a little relaxation. England plays in the world cup today and although I'm not a football fan, I am genetically disposed to things English. After that, a little grocery shopping and if I feel like it, a long overdue haircut and some shopping for odds and ends for my friend Joan.
I'll check back later and report whether any of the above was done.

Susie and the Gender Benders

This is Susie. The old Susie when she was evil and annoying as hell.

Susie came to me as a gift from a client who found her as a stray some time ago. Cute little thing. Quite small for her age (the vet says she's likely 2 years old).

Anyhow, shortly after receiving this little bundle of joy, I came to discover just how demonic a female cat in heat can be. The noises are the horrid utterances one would expect to hear rising from the bowels of hell.
In addition, this little 2 lb. writhing fur ball of sexual energy seemed to want to constantly mate with an imaginary tom cat that somehow was growing out of my shoulder. Night and day made no difference. Ignoring her would cause this creature to break any rules previously laid out and agreed to simply in order to attract my attention. Climbing on the entertainment console, scurrying up drapes, batting paperwork and equipment from the desk, nothing was taboo any longer.
Well, we fixed that! Or I should say the vet fixed that. After uncerimoniously stuffing Susie into her carrier she was swept away to the clinic and returned home the same day a changed creature.
I suspect we now have a cat that will live like other of her species. Totally ignoring me. No longer crawling onto my lap at all times and nudging my ankles while I make the rounds of my lodgings.
But the peace. The sweet, sweet peaceful nights. Worth it? YES I say YES !
Update: August 21, 2006. What a sweetie, she's completely reformed and I'm happy to say is an absolute joy to live with. Mind you, her appetite has increased and she's gaining weight.
Suzie today:

In the beginning ...

There was a blog. A blog much like many other blogs and yet, somehow unique. I intend over the next days and weeks to put down my thoughts much in the way of a diary. By doing this I hope to gain an insight into myself. Introspection if you will. Something I don't seem to do enough of.
In addition this may be the beginnings of a journal of the banal and insightful.
Time will tell. Now let's begin ...