Shane's World

So, What's All This SOPA and PROTECT-IP Stuff About?

Shane Birley — Wed, 18 Jan 2012 21:32:47 +0000

I can't say it any better than this video.

Or if you live outside the USA, below is a lecture/rant from the perspective from someone who lives abroad.

Happiness Plan: Hiking More

Shane Birley — Tue, 03 Jan 2012 00:43:43 +0000

My next step in the whole "happiness plan" idea is to take more walks. I have been wanting to add a weekly hike into my life for a long time. I took my first hike to Iona Beach last week with Jonathon and Allyson. The pugs were, of course, in attendance as well. I hadn't really planned much about this outing but I had never been to Iona Beach before and it is apparently haven for dogs and humans alike. It was amazing. We were walked almost as far as you could go and the pugs were able to run like crazy animals.

We haven't done that for quite some time. The pugs running like crazy things, not the hike itself. It always makes me smile when I am able to watch my beasts run freely and without any concern that they will get run over by a car. Seri is not much of an adventurer and tends not to stray too far but Faith is fearless and will run and run and run without so much of a thought about where it may take her. Amazing. I wish we all could take a bit of her bravery.

So, that is the next step in my happiness plan. Some people have e-mailed me and mentioned that they think this is a good idea. Seize the day and get out there more. Stop hiding because of whatever is keeping me back.

Oh, and I hope to get my first letter soon. I think the mail is backed up a bit and it may take some time to get here. I haven't had any takers yet on joining me in my letter writing campaign. Don't hesitate to join up!

Happy New Year 2012!

Shane Birley — Sun, 01 Jan 2012 20:43:10 +0000

You know, I realized that I never did a Happy New Year posting. It seems to have dropped off the face of the planet. I don't know why. I used to state my resolutions and then review at the end of the year how well I did. That is a little bizarre. Quite unlike me.

This is my New Year posting. But, this year, I am not going to do anything about resolutions. I am going to skip them for one more year and then pick it up again next year. I will even set in my calendar that I am going to do this. It will remind me that I am not a robot and nor am I something for show on the Internet. I don't know why I suddenly think that but something did. Deep within the recess of my highly evolved brain (*cough*) something tells me I need to rethink about how I share information on the Internet.

So, here is to my happiness plan for 2012. Should it be awesome and do very well.

The Happiness Plan: Letter Writing

administrator — Sat, 31 Dec 2011 02:14:52 +0000

So, I have been giving some thought to my personal happiness plan and have embarked on the first step already.

Letter writing.

Something that has bothered me for years has been the lack of communication in our so-called social spheres. We have all kinds of tools to talk at people but nothing that really makes a conversation possible. We have blogs with commenting systems, Facebook walls, Twitter conversations (if you can call them that), and text messages on our portable devices. All of these technologies make it easy for us to communicate and they have their own strengths and weaknesses and none of them are perfect.

But I don't think that these technologies make it possible for communication. I think they provide us an easy way to get someone's attention for a micro-second, discuss something quickly, and then allow us to move on to the next thing. To me, there isn't any communication going on.

So, I am going to try and bring back the writing of letters. Letters that require a pen, paper, an envelope, and a stamp. No typing, no planning, just a plain letter. The letter is a lost art in the world now and I think it really needs to come back. Writing by hand forces people to really think about what they are writing. Letters also allow you to say things that you may not say in a public forum such as a blog or an e-mail. (Yes, people, e-mails are public unless you encrypt them.)

Are you ready to write me a letter? Are you ready to receive a letter from me? I challenge you to get on board with me. My first letter arrived today and I am going to write the response tomorrow. I am jazzed like you would not believe and this is just a letter.

I can't wait to get my next letter.

I Hate Being a Sad Bastard

Shane Birley — Fri, 30 Dec 2011 17:48:07 +0000

I have been reading through some of the blog entries I have done over the last number of weeks and, wow, what a sad bastard I have been. It must be tiring to have to read stuff like this or, maybe, you want to know how I am feeling.

I hate it feeling like this. I should have been happy about the holidays.

There is something about being perpetually grumpy that annoys me. This grumpy attitude clouds thought while simple common reason takes a holiday.

But here is the thing. I have a lot to be thankful for. I have a family that loves me, I have a blog that people actually read, and I have a great business that does a lot of cool things.

So, here is my New Year resolution. I am going to be a Happy Bastard again. Yes, a Happy Bastard. I am going to recapture the happiness and make something of it. I will document this process and possibly help someone else who is feeling the way I do.

If you have any suggestions about how to go about this, please leave them in the comments or drop me an e-mail. I am sure anything will help.

Merry Christmas, Do You Know What SOPA or Bill C-11 Is?

Shane Birley — Mon, 26 Dec 2011 18:01:29 +0000

As my final Christmas gift to you, you need to watch this video. On Christmas Eve, I was chatting to my sister about video, music, and the Internet. I asked her what she knew about SOPA. She didn't know what SOPA is. Honestly, I didn't expect her to as most people I know haven't a clue that something fundamental is happening to the Internet. I have been struggling often to figure out a way to express the dangers with SOPA and (in Canada) Bill C-11. As Canadian's there isn't a whole lot we can do to fight SOPA but C-11 is Canadian and is similar and we can fight it.

In a nutshell, these bills will destroy the Internet in the name of perceived copyright infringement. Not proof of infringement. If a recording company or label thinks you have something they own, your site can be taken down without notice. At least, this is what the language says at the moment. I beg you all to educate yourself about this stuff. It is important. I talk about this stuff with Andrew Currie, Mike Vardy, and Anthony Marco all the time. Why not check us out and get involved in the discussion?

You all realize that web sites such as Twitter, Google, Facebook, and any other site featuring media you did not create are in jeopardy? You know this, right? If you have a blog and you post a video, it will be taken down. Not the video. Your web site.

See?

The Queen's Christmas Message for 2011

Shane Birley — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 22:09:03 +0000

There is something about what she said this year that makes me feel like she looked me up, read my web site, and then added a few words just for me.

Merry Christmas & Happy Holidays from This Vancouver Blogger

Shane Birley — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 09:06:54 +0000

So, I was outside tonight walking the pugs and looking up at the dark sky, hoping I would see a red light. I really hoped for it.

I didn't see one.

I guess the Christmas Spirit eluded me this year. It is a sad thought but I can't say the holiday season has been all that bad. I just wish I was far more invested emotionally. I long for the days when I was a small child who started vibrating with anticipation the moment I knew Christmas Eve had arrived.

Perhaps I have grown up or too old far before I was supposed to. Or maybe this is just part of the process of healing when tragic things happen.

I also don't want anyone to think I have been acting like a Scrooge or Grinch because I haven't been. I just haven't felt it. That feeling you have when the holidays come around. I miss it. I am sure it will be back next year. I just am keenly aware of how I have been feeling.

In any case. I have been enjoying the time I have spent with my friends and family and I hope that you all have the same experience.

Merry Christmas and I am sure there will be smiles on everyone's face in the morning.

Following Santa Using NORAD

Shane Birley — Sun, 25 Dec 2011 05:54:21 +0000

I have been doing something silly today. Every half and hour or so, I have been checking on Santa's progress across the globe. How have I accomplished this feat of amazing genius? Using the NORAD tracking system, that's how.

It is brilliant. It is a system developed to track Santa from the North Pole and all the way back again. Absolutely amazing.

If you didn't know about it this year, try it out next year. They have a mobile application now and the web site has far more cool toys to check out.

This Vancouver Blogger It Going to Tweet a Christmas Film Every Year (Thus, Starting the Tradition)

Shane Birley — Tue, 20 Dec 2011 02:52:12 +0000

I am on a mission. After my last post, I have realized that I need to seriously consider how I am going to capture the Christmas spirit. I don't know how I am going to do this but I have done a little research on this big large Internet thing we have and found various web resources that have a few ideas on how to accomplish the task. There was one suggestion that kept popping up on every web list.

Have an orgy.

No, I am kidding (or am I?).

But I am a funny guy, right? I used to be. Looking at that picture above, I wonder where that guy went. These last few years have been tough with everything going on in the background (you know, that stuff I don't talk about here) and it hasn't been fun. I seem to have lost my sense of humour about people, life, and whatever else you could have a sense of humour about. I have a great bunch of friends who are looking out for me and are trying their hardest to keep me... well, "me".

I used to have traditions around the holidays. For about ten years, we used to meet at a restaurant in Victoria and hang out, exchange cards or gifts, and just have a good time. It was a great thing and I looked forward to it every year. But that is gone now and I haven't any other traditions. Normally, we do the "alternating year" thing between Victoria and Regina. But that never really breeds traditions for me. There are some, yes, but nothing that sticks in my mind enough to look forward to.

Thus, it brings me to my mission. In order to recapture my soul, essentially, I am going to do something silly tonight. I am going to start a tradition. I am going to live Tweet (and/or blog) a Christmas film. I am getting a little late in the season to do this but I am sure I can find a decent film. I have had several suggestions already but I could use a few more. I will attempt this feat tomorrow night. Maybe I should get a charity involved as well. Possibly several tweeters. Raise some money for a good cause.

I will need other things to do as well. If you have any suggestions, don't hestiate to let me know. I will need as many as I can get.

A Christmas Silliness That Made Me Smile

Shane Birley — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 02:53:02 +0000

Okay. There isn't much to this posting but this video made me laugh out loud. Do you sense the theme here? I am practically jamming the sappy Christmas antics down my throad. I have never heard of this show but I may need to check it out. It looks decent.

Trying To Capture the Christmas Spirit on a Sunday

Shane Birley — Mon, 19 Dec 2011 02:23:11 +0000

At this time last year, I was live tweeting the Christmas movie, Die Hard. It was the exact moment in 2010 when I was filled with the Christmas spirit the most. It was fun and it made me smile. But, if you've been following my mental blabbering, I haven't yet experienced the same feeling this year. I am feeling very much like I am covered with some sort of plastic sheeting that is repellent to everything.

I feel like I am not allowed to feel the Christmas spirit at all. I have been denied. I function normally throughout my days but when start thinking about the holidays, I just want it to be spring already. Everything that is going on has dulled my desire for Christmas. I have heard that many people experience something quite similar but I have yet to figure out how to break out of it.

So, when I woke up this morning to my cell phone chirping away, I did what anyone trying to capture a feeling for Christmas does. I went shooting. There is nothing like holding a .357 Magnum in your hand and squeezing off numerous rounds into a target 100 yards away. Actually, I think it was 50 yards but who is counting. I had the most powerful hand gun in the world cracking off bullet after bullet in my hand. We then moved to the .22 target range gun thing they use for competitons. Am I any good? Hardly. I don't think I hit the target at all with the .357 but I did not too badly with the .22 and I am sure I hit my dad's target a few times as well. My dad is quite the shot considering he has limited vision in one eye. Sadly, with my great eye sight, I sucked the big one.

When I got home, I hung Christmas lights. Yah. That is what I did. For a few hours. It was good. Finally, in the afternoon, I went off to see my sister sing in Handel's Messiah at the Farquar Auditorium at the University of Victoria.

All in all. A good day. Best one I have had in months. I must dash. Off to the ferry, I must go...

Saturday Relaxation for This Vancouver Blogger Who is In Victoria At The Moment

Shane Birley — Sun, 18 Dec 2011 07:10:08 +0000

What do you do when you're trying to get back into the spirit of Christmas?

Lights.

I hung Christmas lights.

This is what I did.

Then I played a board game.

I then went out for coffee.

I was then quite tired from all the stress and am thinking about bed.

Sorry if I missed any of you. I will be back next week.

Podcasting In Vancouver, Podcasting In Canada, and How Damn Funny I Really Am!

Shane Birley — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 20:54:20 +0000

I realized today that I have NOT talked at all about some of hte things I am doing when I am not writing (sort of) on my blog. There are numerous things that I have been creating and helping to build and I normally tell people these things. Yet, this year has been rough and I haven't really been in the mood to "toot my horn". Are you dying to know what the hell I have been up to? Well, the simple answer is podcasting. I have been recording my voice and posting it on line quite more often than posting things here. I have also been experimenting in different styles and characters.

Dyscultured

This little bitty is one of the coolest Canadian podcasts around. The podcast was started by Mike Vardy, Andrew Currie, Ryan Wiseman, and Anthony Marco (I joined the fray about a year ago) and we talk about tech, culture, and how it applies to Canadians. If you want to know what important things are happening in the nerdy world, subscribe and educate yourself. It is crisp. Edible. Wonderful.

The S&M Rants

This is where things get crazy. This NSFW podcast has two awesome people talking about stuff. We review crazy and unbelievable real stories from news all over the world, get other people to review the same stories, and we conclude with a weekly winner. Just listen to know what the heck I am talking about. Monica Hamburg runs this show and keeps me in line.

The Sound of Awesome

This is just me. Raw. Unplanned. Rambling. You will know me better if you subscribe.

NOTE: This post was written some time ago but it isn't "time sensitive" and I thought it was worth posting. This is called "catching up".

On a More Positive Christmas Vancouver Note

Shane Birley — Sat, 17 Dec 2011 03:15:42 +0000

Here we are. Just a week away and we will all be celebrating the Christmas holiday. Well, most of us. There are other religions and belief systems on this planet that don't do the whole Christmas thing but I can't speak for those. Why I bring it up? I have no idea but sometimes that is how my method of personal blogging works. I attempt to acknowledge that there are other people in the world and it messes with my prose. I bounce around like a ball and I make little sense. I usually go further and try to explain why I am lacking focus. It is a vicious circle. Terrible.

Today we had my grandfather's funeral at Holy Trinity Church near Sidney, B.C. It was packed! I was surprised the georgeous little church didn't burst at the seams. Holy Trinity is the "family" church and, from what I gather, should I never choose another location for my final resting place, that is where my mortal remains will end up. It is a quiet location near the inlet and I have always liked it. I don't think I have ever mentioned this publically, not that it is a very important detail, but I think with the run of family passings over the last 12 months, how can one not think about such things. It is a little weird, I suppose, but not entirely outlandish to wonder about where you will "end up". I am in no rush to get there either. I plan to out live everyone I know. I quote I famous Starfleet Captain: "Speak for yourself, sir. I plan to live forever."

The service was decent. We then adjourned to my grandfather's home and shared in some wine and food. It was a positive day.

Now, I must move onward to what is next. Christmas. This year is what I call a "Saskatchewan Year" where we fly over to the land of big skies and celebrate with Ally's family. This year, considering everything that has happened, we are coming back to Victoria for a few days. Luckily, Ally's parents treated us to the Grey Cup and they visited us in Vancouver so we did get to see them. We will miss out on the new baby in Saskatoon but I am sure we will be able to catch up at a later time.

I want to send a little shoutout to some of my close friends who have posted me little pick me up notes. I do cherish those messages and it helps quite a bit.

Low Vancouver Christmas

Shane Birley — Fri, 16 Dec 2011 02:08:55 +0000

Wow. I have never really felt this low about the holidays.

Tomorrow is my grandfather's funeral and I am more than ready to move on with my life. The level of distraction I feel is overwhelming and I have tried to fight through it. I have realized that you can't force yourself through the mourning process. You just have to let it swarm you, carry you on a bit of a detour, and wait for it to drop you back on your previous course.

But it isn't fun. I also have had to come to grips with the reality that everyone in my family is going through the same process but I their own ways. I have always tried to remind myself of that. People react differently and are more apt to go crazy during stressful times.

It has put such a halt on the festivities and my mood hasn't improved as quickly as I would have liked. I thank my years of improvisational theatre for giving me the skills to fake my way through the tough bits. It isn't the best choice but is there really a "right" choice? The right choices fly away on the breeze these days.

Of course, I can't ignore that there have been a few people who had reached out in support. I can't thank them enough because it has helped a great amount. I think my form of mourning is the I feel quite alone even when I know I am not.

I can hope that next year is better and a far more positive experience.

Where Does The Creativity Spark Come From?

Shane Birley — Mon, 12 Dec 2011 08:59:45 +0000

I have often wondered where the desire to do what I do comes from. I write in my little books, I share my photos with the world, and I write on my blog. But where does this all come from? Where is this desire (for myself) spring from? What virtual well is it all from?

Oh, wait, just watch the video and you'll have all the answers. Good night all.

Eric Robert Slegg

Shane Birley — Sun, 11 Dec 2011 01:03:27 +0000

I found my grandfather's obituary and thought I would share it with you.

SLEGG, Eric Robert
Born on May 13, 1920.

Eric Slegg passed away peacefully at home on December 3, 2011 at the age of 91. Eric grew up in Perth, Ontario with his two brothers and two sisters and in 1939 he joined the Royal Canadian Navy and served throughout the war in the North Atlantic.

While Eric was stationed briefly in Victoria, BC he met the love of his life, Ruby Webster and they married in 1942. After the war the couple moved to Sidney, BC where Eric started a small hardware store and in 1947 he founded Slegg Lumber.

Eric worked extremely hard throughout his lengthy career and as a planner and visionary, was instrumental in the growth of the family business. His passion for business was matched equally by his kindness and generosity which he demonstrated beautifully through his philanthropy and the loving care he provided for Ruby by whom he is predeceased.

Eric touched the lives of many throughout the years and everyone who knew him was taken by his irresistible wit and charm. He will be greatly missed by his family, friends and former employees. Often acclaimed as a man ahead of his time, Eric was a guiding light and mentor to us all.

A memorial service in celebration of Eric's life will be held at 11:00 AM on December 16, 2011 at Holy Trinity Church, Mills Rd and West Saanich Rd in North Saanich.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made to the BC Cancer Agency.

Live Tweeting a Christmas Movie: Again!

Shane Birley — Sat, 10 Dec 2011 06:00:00 +0000

In an effort to get myself out of the dumps and into a mental pattern befitting of the Christmas holidays, I am going to live tweet a Christmas movie some time in the next week or so.

I requested some suggestions (via Twitter this time) and this is what was suggested:

Die Hard 2
Polar Express
Batman Returns
Home Alone
Home Alone 2
It's A Wonderful Life

Naturally, my instinct tells me to live tweet Die Hard 2 - but I do want to make sure that what happened last year doesn't happen again. When I live tweeted Die Hard there was a surprising backlash from a few of my followers. Some un-followed me, a few sent me random and lengthy e-mails about how I didn't treat Twitter seriously, and others thought I was "ballsy". It is their right to respond how they want but, honestly, I thought it was a little weird.

Anyway, this is your fair warning, I will be live tweeting again quotes from whatever film I am to watch. If you have any other suggestions, please send them my way, leave a comment below, or fire me a tweet. I wonder if this could be some kind of fundraiser and I could take donations. Let me think on that.

If you want to un-follow me, I encourage you not to because I would like you to get involved. Tweet with me, add a quote you think I should have tweeted. Let's start a movie twitter revolution and use this social media device for fun once in a while.

Besides, at the end of the day, it is only a couple of hours and a whole lot of tweets that you can ignore - and I could use a positive attitude injection this year.

Feeling Christmas-y Yet?

Shane Birley — Fri, 09 Dec 2011 06:00:00 +0000

Today, I am following in the footsteps of a good friend of mine. He wrote this morning that he has never felt more Christmas-y.

I have been in the dumps this year as has the majority of my family. If you've been following my blog, you'll know why. Last week, we lost my grandfather and it has been hard. Yet, for me, it has been more than just his passing.

Essentially, my entire family watched a family member die. You can't put it any other way. Collectively, we all watched him go from a reasonably healthy man (he was over 90, so, there are health issues regardless) to someone who wasn't awake for most of the day.

It wasn't just that we watched a loved one fail and pass on, it was harder to witness what it did to my family. There was hope, discussion, reasoning, bargaining, and everything that accompanies a visit from Death. It was like Death waltzed into our lives, chose the comfy chair in the living room corner, cracked the daily newspaper and waited. Naturally, he listened to the discussions around him but all he could do was wait and smile. For me, that was the hardest part.

So, the inevitable happened and now thoughts have turned to the holidays. I guess my brain has found some comfort and relief in the knowledge that my grandfather is no longer suffering. Once my synapses figured that out, they probably thought: "Jesus. When did all these sparkly lights show up?" Honestly, it has been a blur. I was visiting him in the hospital just yesterday. Or was that in May or June? Brains are stupid sometimes.

My point is, I have had no interest in the holidays. I haven't wanted to acknowledge them at all. Didn't the month of August just finish? It seems that time has sped up in my mind some how. I don't know why. The world hasn't changed the axis tilt that much and Superman hasn't tried to do anything lately, has he?

In any case, part of what I have been feeling is how powerless I really am in the universe. I also feel a little silly. I wish I could solve all of the problems currently going on in the world and somehow protect my family from it all. I know I can't but I still want that for my family. It has been hard and I want things to be "okay" but I know that they can't. I also live a distance from my immediate family and it is hard not being able to just pop over when they need me. My sister is there and she is a strong soul and is able to do and support everyone a lot but I can't help but feel that I haven't pulled my weight. But you can't do everything. It just isn't reasonable to expect that of one's self.

I hope that next year I am going to explode on Christmas morning and feel like it is the greatest day in the year. I used to do that. I remember that even when I was in university I found it hard to sleep on Christmas Eve. I wonder if I can recapture that feeling this year. I know I will try. If not for me, I will try and recapture it for my family because, with everything that has happened, it is all I can really do.

So, I haven't felt all that Christmas-y and I was glad that someone is. I may try to steal a little bit of that feeling and hoard it for myself.

NOTE: I started to write this blog post a couple of days ago. Sadly, I have had no Internet at home for a few weeks because we're switching providers and I wasn't able to get it done nor posted this past Friday. Pretend you read this two days ago. No, really. It will all make sense.

What More Can I Say?

Shane Birley — Sun, 04 Dec 2011 07:14:54 +0000

My grandfather died today.

I went to see The Muppets because it seemed like something that would make me smile. I hope that you all can hug someone you love. They could be gone tomorrow, an hour from now, or in a few minutes from this moment.

I am sad for my family.

I am sad for my mommy.

I am sad for my sister for this was the second year in a row someone important passed on her birthday.

I am sad about the whole thing.

But life goes on. I wish there was something more profound I could add but, unlike my friend Rosie, I can't use my words that well today.

I will leave you with this:

Pippin: "I didn't think it would end this way..."

Gandalf: "End? No, the journey doesn't end here. Death is just another path...One that we all must take. The grey rain-curtain of this world rolls back, and all change to silver glass... and then you see it."

Pippin: "What? Gandalf? See what?"

Gandalf: "White shores...and beyond... the far green country under a swift sunrise."

Pippin: "Well, that isn't so bad."

Gandalf: "No...No it isn't

The Vancouver Buffy's Once More With Feeling Sing-A-Long Is Happening Again!

Shane Birley — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 04:59:47 +0000

Holy crap! I can't believe I haven't mentioned this already but the Once More With Feeling Buffy Musical Sing-A-Long is coming back to Vancouver - NEXT WEEK! This whole being sick thing has some how clouded my ability to remember the most important things happening in this town.

This whole event used to run out of Happy Bats Cinema --

*choke*

-- well, we won't talk about that.

But, this event kicks ass. I have been three times but, this year, I have to give it a miss! I know, this totally sucks but I have been asked to do "family" stuff on the 26th. I do suggest you go in my stead. I hope that you will find my seat comfortable and you are able to yell and scream and sing your heart out.

A special huge thanks to the coolest dude in the world who has brought it back this year. I understand that this is the only Buffy Musical Sing-A-Long (the only legal one!) happening in Canada this year. I can't say enough about the community that gets out to join in. You all rock.

Go.

Get your tickets now.

Yes, I am lame for not going but that doesn't mean you have to be lame too! Stop being lame and go to the sing-a-long. No, really! Vancouver needs this! Vancouver owns this musical - don't let it be the last.

I wonder if there will be a Firefly marathon in a theatre somewhere. Hmmm...

Does The Internet Make More Sense Once You've Been Sick for A Week?

Shane Birley — Sun, 20 Nov 2011 04:20:00 +0000

So, I have been fighting this lingering illness for an entire week now. It won't leave me alone and I think that I am going a little crazy. I mean, really, how much cuddling with cute pugs can a person take? I have been bouncing around trying all kinds of things like sleeping, medicine, vitamins to get better. Yet, with all of these promises of "do this and you'll get better" I still am fighting this lingering cough and annoying sniffles.

Of course, I am now going a little crazy.

Do you ever have that experience? You force yourself to rest and, essentially, get bored and then start going a little crazy. Maybe it is just me.

Thus, I share with you the Internet searches from today:

Is Right Said Fred essential to the survival of the human race? (The video above is the main result.)
Why do people vote for people they don't know?
Is Vancouver going to sink into a Hellmouth?
Is my brain really this fried?

Well, another week is gone. Welcome to the weekend and I hope that I am going to be alive enough tomorrow for the CFL Eastern and Western Finals.

And, yes, I have Grey Cup tickets.

See? Disjointed thinking has resulted in this post. I hope you can follow... I barely can.

Wellness and Weekends

Shane Birley — Tue, 15 Nov 2011 05:56:59 +0000

What.

The.

Hell.

I was in Victoria this past weekend and had a good day of hanging out with a couple of friends. Saturday morning. I was sick. Infection, coughing, hacking, gagging - why am I not allowed to have a weekend? Huh body? Huh?

I seem to post weird short posts when I get sick. I refer to it as the "man cold". So, watch the above and learn the finer points of how men should be treated when they are dying of a cold.

We Shall Never Forget

Shane Birley — Sat, 12 Nov 2011 03:33:16 +0000

We will remember them. This year some asked me where the "Lest We Forget" comes from. Here you go.

God of our fathers, known of old—
Lord of our far-flung battle line—
Beneath whose awful hand we hold
Dominion over palm and pine—
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

The tumult and the shouting dies—
The Captains and the Kings depart—
Still stands Thine ancient sacrifice,
An humble and a contrite heart.
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

Far-called our navies melt away—
On dune and headland sinks the fire—
Lo, all our pomp of yesterday
Is one with Nineveh and Tyre!
Judge of the Nations, spare us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

If, drunk with sight of power, we loose
Wild tongues that have not Thee in awe—
Such boastings as the Gentiles use,
Or lesser breeds without the Law—
Lord God of Hosts, be with us yet,
Lest we forget—lest we forget!

For heathen heart that puts her trust
In reeking tube and iron shard—
All valiant dust that builds on dust,
And guarding calls not Thee to guard.
For frantic boast and foolish word,
Thy Mercy on Thy People, Lord!
Amen.

-- Rudyard Kipling

I Can Haz The Google Plus

Shane Birley — Sun, 06 Nov 2011 19:54:36 +0000

It seems silly to announce something like this but I am now on the Google Plus bandwagon. I resisted for some time because I wanted to join when I was fit and able to do so. (There was also a minor issue that my e-mail account is also a Google Apps account and we were not able to use Google Plus until the last week but such details need not be discussed.)

Yah.

Google Plus.

Are you on this thing? Guess what, I am.

Not much can be said about a social networking platform. I think I have an account on a majority of the "main stream" ones and a few where I don't even speak the language but they all do the same thing. They connect people in a virtual sense with those who they may not see down at the local pub. There is much study that has been done and much that is still ongoing about virtual friendships and if they are of the same calibre as those people you see on a regular basis - but, really, does it matter? I prefer the people in person but I never have enough time to nurture those friendships.

Too much going on. Too much needing my attention. Life and socialization is such a double edged sword. I suppose that is where these virtual fillers come into play. I wonder what the world would look like if we didn't have to sleep and eat.

Regardless of the answer, if you would like to add me to your circles and pluses, check me out over here. I think I am going to go out now.

Wipe Them Out, All of Them

Shane Birley — Wed, 02 Nov 2011 05:52:29 +0000

I was thinking today about how I could use all of this stress I am experiencing and turn it into a power for good... or evil, which ever comes first, I suppose. I think I would make a grand leader of the planet Earth. I can hear the chanting now... All Hail Darth Fartanus! Oh, wait, that doesn't have the ring that I thought it would. If I ever do take over the entire planet, you can just call me Melvin. Heh. Melvin.

This blog post was supposed to have some deep meaning to it but then I watched the trailer above and all sense in the galaxy was trapped during a layover in Denver. The trailer brought my typing fingers to a stand still. I was going to write something about how the Phantom Menace was going supposed to be the continued life-adventure for all of the Star Wars fanboys. We were supposed to find out the truth. We were supposed to experience what happened prior to Episode IV and add it to the memories of Star Wars pre-digitial effects.

That so didn't hapen. At least, they got rid of Jar Jar in the trailer.

When It All Comes to Roost Or Something, Something, Something

Shane Birley — Mon, 31 Oct 2011 05:31:19 +0000

Wow.

August, huh?

Has it been that long?

I suppose you could call me lazy but I do have an excuse. I haven't felt, well, chatty. There have been a tonne of things going on in the background of my world that have distracted me terribly. Sadly, I can't get into them right now as things are playing out (where is Spock when I need him) and I would rather remain somewhat mute on the topic of family. I will say this: I am embarassed by it all and quite shocked. Enough said for now.

At the end of the day, it doesn't really matter, I suppose. It doesn't change the fact that my writer's block is going strong and, frankly, pissing me off. I wish there was something I could do that would make it all better. I was talking about it the other day with some friends and someone pointed out that they sensed I as in a state of mourning.

"Mourning?" I said.

"Yah, things are going sideways in your family life and it isn't playing out quite how you anticipated." They said.

I guess they are right. That stuff I can't really go into the details of is distracting me. I am getting through the days and having some moments or clarity but - dammit - I can't seem to get it into gear. Writing this post is helping but why can't I get it all over and done with and get on with my personal life. My work life is fine and I am getting through the work and making stuff rock and roll but, jeeze, I get home and I just don't want to deal with the rest of it.

Anyway.

I am going to leave it at that and try and write something tomorrow. There are many things that have passed me by that I would have talked about and writting my own two cents on but - again with the damn distractions and lack of mental energy. I hate Western life. It would have been so much easier to have just lived on a farm in the middle of Australia. Or so Baz would have me believe.

Until tomorrow...

A Common Dilemma or How Vacations and Holidays Are Not The Same Thing

Shane Birley — Sun, 28 Aug 2011 00:56:16 +0000

We have just returned from the woods but our vacation is not over yet. Much fun was had and we talked a lot about vacations and holidays. I have also recorded some of these conversations and they will be introduced as a new fancy weekly podcast called The ShaneCast. I think this will be the last podcast I do because I am doing way too many as it is. (Waiting for the pin drop here?)

I was going to wait and post something tomorrow night but due to the topic of conversation that dominated the last week, I couldn't let this one slide by. The Twitter stream for Shit My Dad Says had this to say the about holidays vs. vacations:

"You can't come...Because it's not a vacation if my family is with me. I could vacation in my fucking house if you people left it."

I will also say this: there is a real difference between vacations and holidays. Who knew... I will clean up some of the recordings and post them soon.

Holy Crap, I've Been Busy & Now I Am In The Woods

Shane Birley — Fri, 19 Aug 2011 19:14:00 +0000

It has been a fun filled and exciting time these last few months. We've launched a great bunch of projects and are working on the next batch - but, for the next week, I am NOT available. I am heading into the woods and I won't be back until the 29th of August. I thought you all should know since I am sure you're just chomping at the bit and waiting for my next post. We've got people staying in our place, the pugs are at the Dog Hotel of awesome, and I think I am leaving my phone in a fish tank somewhere.

I intend on writing and sorting some of those posts I have written but haven't published. I am having to call them "From The Vault" or something like that since there are so many of them, I lost count, and quite a few of them are more than a year old. It is one of those things that happens when you're trying to be all "creative and stuff". The creative stuff got a little out of hand and I wasn't able to complete them. That is the way it goes, I guess. You can't let yourself get bogged down in the details until you've got a first draft done.

Thus, I head into the woods to recharge the batteries for a week and get back a little perspective.

So long, suckas! See you on the flip side.