From an article on celestial happenings in the great Kingston Whig-Standard:

"Uranus has an 84-year cycle, so for the rest of your life, the planet will never again be as far away from you as it will be this evening."

It's a good thing that they specified that it is the planet. Otherwise, immature people like myself might think it was funny. Tee-hee.

The Fine Print

How often do you read the Terms of Service or End User License Agreement when you set up an account on a web service (e-mail, social networking, etc.) or when you install software? My guess is: not that often. Well, you'd be amazed at what you're agreeing to when you go through those systems. Those are the rules by which the company agrees to abide, and the rules by which they expect you to abide in using their service.

I've seen people get billed for the use of a service that they thought was free because that aspect of the Terms of Service wasn't clear to them. That sucks, but is it worse than giving up rights to your content permanently? Maybe being a photographer makes me more keenly aware of the issues of the latter. In any case, I'm not the only person with a concern.

Facebook recently changed it's Terms of Service, claiming perpetual rights to content that was posted. This caused an uprising of users around the world. Many saw it as an effort to claim ownership over the what users posted. Photographers who make a living from selling their photos were justifiably worried. Well, the uproar has borne fruit. Facebook responded both to explain their intentions (to have the right to use the content to help you share it) and to revert to their old terms of service.

Still, if people hadn't reacted so strongly, most people may not have noted what happened at all. As conspiratorial as it may sound, to ensure our rights are protected, we must remain ever vigilant.

It's always nice to have moments that make you smile (that is a generalization I am happy to make). I had a few today, but one of the most rewarding involved being out on the frozen surface of Lake Ontario. Besides the beautiful location and the good company, I was most pleased to see the enjoyment that others were getting. Specifically, seeing an elderly man with an electric scooter out on the ice exploring and, when the ice conditions suited, sliding around and doing doughnuts. :)

Apologies seem to be the order of the past few months. It seems to be the most common type of post that I write. That's what happens when days and weeks go by between posting. And so it has happened again.

Having an online presence has it's benefits and it's challenges. For me, the greatest challenge has been the extent of my presence and the energy required to maintain it. I'm on Facebook, Flickr, Blogspot, Twitter and of course e-mail (6 accounts - 4 work and 2 personal). As is my tendency, I spread myself to thin.

Plans for an adventure are afoot. But you'll have to wait for that. :)

Lost Opportunity

Governments the world over seem to buy into the economic theory that they can spend their ways out of a recession. Having been chastised by my first-year economics professor for talking in class, I know that I don't have a degree in economics (I should note, that I was explaining a concept to a friend that he had made a particular mess of). In any case, I'm not going to say I know better than the teams of economists that our government, and many others employ. I am though, concerned of with the short-comings in Canada's most recent budget. Sure, there's infrastructure funding, money for social housing, support for First Nations and more. All good things. But where's the forward-looking money? As Obama trumpets the opportunities of a "green" economy Canada cuts funding to scientific research and doesn't look to updating things like our utility distribution networks to better support new approaches to technology like networks to support plug-in hybrid cars. We may/will still come out of the recession, but I think it will leave us structurally behind other countries. Why be short-sighted? If you can immediately influence the economy while seeing long-term benefits, why not do it?

A new hope

Barak Obama is now the President of the United States (in case you live under a rock). His initial efforts and words have related to increasing transparency of government and doing what was promised. That is extremely heartening to me. I may not be American but I believe his approach to governing the U.S. will influence us all.

As people develop a taste for governance that serves the people, that is not explicitly partisan, that wants to remove the curtain behind so much political action takes place, people may come to expect more from their own leaders. This is an opportunity for Canada's politicians to scoop some of the hope inspired by Obama's inauguration. I also hope that if they choose to continue to obscure and fight, that we, the people, will react with the strength seen in the United States.

What kind of a system have we created? An economy that relies on continued growth. Where steady-state is underperforming and where saving money can be a problem.

Sometimes reality is more interesting than fiction: "Porn Industry Seeks Federal Bailout"

Happy start to 2009!

As years end and other begins there is much looking back and fore at what has come and what may yet come to be.

One chance to not only look back, but also to learn is BBC's 100 things we didn't know last year.

Perhaps a momentary hiatus from Canadian political intrigue is in order. I bet you never thought someone would mention the phrase "Canadian political intrigue" and mean it. In any case, this video made me smile. I had heard about Matt and even seen some of his dancing in the past. Still, it made me happy and maybe it'll work for you (even if you doubt that Stephen Harper will learn how to play well with others, despite what's gone on over the past couple of weeks).

You can find out more about Matt at: http://www.wherethehellismatt.com/

With Parliament suspended for the next 7 weeks I honestly don't think the coalition is going to stand a chance. Stephen Harper may have made some serious tactical blunders to get into this situation but you can be sure he's not going to continue his school-yard bullying tactics when he announces their budget on January 27. I have every expectation that there will be a number of things previously requested by the opposition parties which will undermine their argument that he's not interested in making Parliament work. I also have every expectation that it won't be long before he's back to his "my way or the highway" mentality. I am disappointed that things did not continue to allow the coalition a chance to govern as I am more confident in their abilities to represent Canadians than the Conservatives.

Perhaps most disturbing though is the inclination of people providing commentary online to go to the extreme. With so much activity on news sites and the individual commentary running fast and furious, I saw a lot of comments that were unequivocally black or white, 1 or 0. In light of this I found an interesting article discussing the concept of crime occuring where there are signs of neglect, and extending it to online spaces. I think that there are so many unmoderated avenues for people to provide commentary on anything and everything (my blog is a prime example) that people feel they can say anything. Including things that they might never say in a conversation with a "real" person. That also comes with a cloak of anonymity and both seem to make consensus-building difficult. That saddens me. One might hope that democracy relies on the voice of people being heard but I'm not sure that this method is a constructive step towards true democracy.

The fun continues. As the Green's express their support, the Liberal/NDP coalition now has the support of parties that got 62% of the votes cast in Canada's 40th general election. It didn't take long for this to be a rallying point.

Stephen Harper and Stephane Dion both had time on national television this evening to share their perspective on how this process should play out. Stephen Harper didn't do much to change my perspective. I'm excited and hopeful about what the coming days will bring.

All is wild and wooly down Ottawa-way. A coalition of opposition parties is forming (a cabal if you're a Conservative-fan) and it looks like they're fixin' to knock the Conservative party out of power. I've always thought this was how minority governments were supposed to run. You know, finding middle-ground instead of bullying the smaller kids on the playground.

I've heard opinions that the Conservatives have the mandate to lead. I personally don't think that 37.6% of the popular vote gives one party the voice to speak for all Canadians. If the parties that represent 54.4% of the popular vote are working together that seems more democratic. Having said that I a) have never been a big fan of the "first-past-the-post" model and b) I can't honestly say what the likely response is going to be from the majority of Canadians. My hope is that they see it as a burden being lifted and that the parliament can function and represent the view of more Canadians and not the view of how the Conservative party sees us. Having said that, I can also see people reacting with disdain for political gamesmanship in the midst of economically trying times. Sure the (current) opposition parties can argue that they're doing this because the Conservatives aren't acting quickly enough on the economy but even I see that reason sliding by the way-side. Still, I find this an exciting time. Especially after a disappointing campaign and election. Maybe the first Canadian coalition government will surprise us all. It may be just the change we need/want/are going to get.

Howdy friends! (Though I venture that number is getting smaller and smaller, not due to anything particularly offensive I may have done, but rather the one month breaks between posts).

I'm in front of a new computer and it seemed a good occasion to take the time to touch in. It also doesn't hurt that I, ridiculously, set my alarm this fine Saturday morning. It took me a little thinking when the alarm went off to realize that it's the weekend. Of course I was awake by that point so up I got to start making the most of my day. It's just as well as I've got lots of work to be doing. I'll certainly be happy when these major special projects for work are out of the way.

December is right around the corner. That amazes me. Time does fly, and it seems to do so without the necessary planning and preparation. I know, I know, there is a great joy and value to living in the moment. It is something that I need to continue to develop. But I also feel that preparation and planning has a place in ensuring that we are our best selves and do the best job possible (instead of doing things the way we've always done them).

Stars sparkle, but what about the light on your house? It seems that whether you are looking up or looking down, there's always something sparkling. Sure, a city or town looks beautiful from overhead but I find the lights of residential neighbourhoods specifically pretty as all the little things in between my eyes and those lights make for a sparkle of beauty that adds a little magic to the world.

Canada ♥'s Asbestos

Continual apologies for my spotty updates might get old but what can ya do? There's plenty on in my life and the life of others but my reason for posting today revolves around the Canadian government and the unsavoury negotiating positions it can take. Seeing Canada's "Environment Minister" (quotes represent irony) be a voice against Kyoto was quite frustrating. Remarkably, I find that less frustrating than the role Canada has played in ensuring that asbestos continues to be shipped around the world.

While climate change is (thankfully) being recognized as a huge potential risk to all of us, it is largely theoretical (particularly for those who doubted its existence in the past). Even those who have not questioned climate change and its risks have likely seldom seen damage done as its direct result.

Asbestos (in particular forms) on the other hand, is universally recognized as a carcinogenic hazard. Within Canada, extensive efforts have been made to protect people from exposure yet in 2006 Canada stood as the sole Western country trying to ensure the continued free movement of the product around the world. Remarkably, Canada looked to... Iran and Zimbabwe for support. That is would appear to be an "about-face" from most policy efforts undertaken by our government. Perhaps that's just my optimism speaking. Chances are there are more of these unsavoury stances being taken than I am aware of.

Again this week, countries are meeting to discuss a number of hazardous materials (including asbestos). I can only hope that Canada doesn't remain a voice against reason and that we might finally see the value in ending the production and distribution of such a dangerous product.

I'm not going to lie, the Canadian election results disappointed me. I envy many in the U.S. who are looking forward to change (and seem more and more likely to get it). As Canadians, we got what we wanted. I may not have wanted it, but even if we had proportional representation, the conservatives won the popular vote and would/will form the government. I was hoping we'd all be a little more forward-looking. It is interesting that many in the U.S. are craving change while the Canadian response to many similar issues was to stick-tight. I just wish that politics was less about tearing-down others and more about building us all up together. I feel that there is a distinct lack of that in politics.

Oh yeah, I jumped out of a plane today. :)

While it's not a sign of my worldly nature, I've come across two things on other people's blogs and I want to share them with you. The first, a site dedicated to strategic voting in the upcoming Canadian election to ensure that the environment is protected. Vote for Environment is asking you to do just that. In ridings that polls consider to be close races, they advise voters not to split their vote between the Liberals, NDP and Greens but rather to rally behind a single candidate. I see nothing that describes a specific party affiliation, rather they just want to see the environment protected and don't see the Conservative party doing it. Funnily enough, neither do I. My riding seems likely to remain Liberal, both from my experience and according to their site. What about yours?

The second ill-gotten link is a Youtube video from Canada's own Feist. This time she's adapted her song 1,2,3,4 for the Sesame Street crowd. Cute!

Blogging about blogs

I listened to some commentary this evening about how many political candidates have had to withdraw from the race (Canada will be holding a Federal Election on October 14) due to their blogs. More specifically their perspectives, posted for the world to see and saved in perpetuity thanks to the endless servers of google and their caching of webpages.

My mind moved immediately to my own (imaginary) political future and what my opponents would latch onto to bring me down. Any of you who have been reading my blog as regularly as I have posted may have your own ideas. Me, I honestly don't have a specific instance that comes to mind. I haven't railed against too much or made rash statements that I'm no longer willing to support. I wonder if the disgraced political candidates feel the same way. Maybe that speaks to the strength of their convictions or to their inability to understand that not everyone shares their views. Maybe it speaks to the harsh light that shines when the nation's media focuses on any one thing or maybe they deserved it because their views were not palatable to a large percentage of the voting public.

As for me, it'll probably be "No Pants Day" that brings me down.

Things seem hopeful. That shouldn't be noteworthy but, when it is... it is. Challenging times of the recent past seem like distant memories. This is a good thing but I'm working hard to remember what was hard about them and considering lessons that I may learn to carry me safely into the future.

Additionally, projects at work have a good feeling around them. It makes for a nice context in which to approach things.

Sorry for the lack of action of late. Pre-occupied and all that.