Scopes Monkey Choir

Posted on February 22nd, 2012

A quick post tonight inspired by one of the podcasts I listened to tonight.

The podcast where music and sound meet science and skeptism.

I’m not sure how I first came across this show, but I’m glad I did!  I’m a fan of music and I love science (even if I’m hopefully at both) so it’s only natural that I would enjoy Scopes Monkey Choir.  The co-hosts Hai-Ting Chinn and Matthew Schickele discuss all sorts of sciencey topics that have to do with music whether it’s made by humans or other something (someone?) else in nature.

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Flashback Friday

Posted on February 17th, 2012

For Flashback Friday, I’m sharing a photo of my Winston playing in the snow.  We lost him just over a year ago.  This shot was taken take two years ago – 17 February, 2010.

Flashback Friday

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Winter Has Come

Posted on February 13th, 2012

Winter is (not) Coming.

Winter is already here.

It was a snowy, icy, cool walk through the industrial part this morning!  With the windchill, it was -25C / -13F.

A nice, cool winter’s morning.  :)  I miss the cold weather sometimes.  Ever felt like your lungs were turning to ice, even through your scarf, with each breath because it’s like -45C?  Good times ;)

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Return of the ‘Wars

Posted on February 10th, 2012

Today, Star Wars returned to the big screen.  In 3D.  Starting with The Phantom Menace.

So… guess where I spent my night?  It was SO awesome (wizard?) to see Star Wars on the big screen.  Despite what may or may not be ‘wrong’ with the movie, it’s the freakin’ ‘Wars, man!  How can any fan pass up the chance to see it ‘live’ again?  Episode 1 is my least favourite movie of the saga, but that kind of made seeing it in the theatre that much better.  It’s been years since I watched that movie (I only have it on VHS… lies, I have the Blu-Ray set, but no player to watch it on) so there were surprises (or at least ‘things-I’d-forgotten-about’). Also, since the last time I watched it I’ve learned a bit more about the characters from conventions, the Force Cast, books and The Clone Wars so I was all ‘hey that’s so and so’ and it was fun to pick out all the sounds and lines used in the regular Force Cast clips.  I loved hearing John William’s score (though the movie wasn’t loud enough imo) and picking out the Wilhelm Scream.

Normally I despise going to the movies when I think there’s going to be a lot of kids there, but with Star Wars, it’s different.  It was great to see the parents taking their kids to see the movie, hearing them reminence about seeing the saga ‘when I was your age’ and also so fun to see the kids into it.  It’s not just the cartoon that kids are into.

I’m so glad Lucas brought Star Wars back to the theatre!  (even if I could have done without the 3D, but at least it wasn’t blurry.)  While, yes, it does but lots more money back in his pocket – why is this a bad thing?  I’m all for spending a few bucks each year to see my favourite movies again and it’s great to be able to introduce the saga, on the big screen, to the Clone Wars generation.

In the immortal words of Jimmy Mac:

Star Wars is Forever

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Latest Cooking Experiments

Posted on February 7th, 2012

This past weekend I had a cooking day for the first time since before Christmas.  I made some apple muffins which, as usual, taste good but never stay in their muffin form.  (always stick to the cups or whatever no matter if I grease them or not).  I tried to make some bread, but I haven’t had must luck with that lately.  My bread hasn’t been rising :(  I think I need to try the first recipe I tried (which worked out perfectly!) and see if THAT works.  Basically I need to find out if I’m doing something wrong, or just always choosing the wrong recipes.

BUT I made REALLY yummy red wine truffles.  The shell was a bit hard; I would have preferred slightly softer chocolate on the outside, but something that would still hold it’s shape (and the truffle filling of course!).  Mmm, so yummy.  Had some filling/ganache left over and iced some cupcakes with it.  I also made some homemade tomato sauce for the freezer and these yummy apple pie cookies which turned out perfect!

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Freedom of Expression Exhibit

Posted on February 6th, 2012

A travelling art exhibit is currently set up at NSCC Kingstec in Kentville, NS.  The Freedom of Expression in Broad Strokes is a collection of award winning political cartoons visiting select municipalities in Canada.  The only stops in Nova Scotia are Kingstec, where it will remain until February 1o, and Acadia University where it will be set up from February 13 – 22.

This is a great opportunity for our two institutions and the community at large.  If you are in the valley at all during this time, I suggest you check it out!

For more information, check out the article in the Chronicle-Herald or visit the Canadian Committee for World Press Freedom.

Have you seen the exhibit, either here or in your own town?  Share your thoughts!

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Ice Dragon

Posted on February 3rd, 2012

feb3

Last night, the campus hosted their annual ‘Fire and Ice’ event last night.  I was planning on going, as I’d never been able to before.  With all the photo workshops and other things I had going on this week, I just couldn’t swing it this year.  Too much money and that also meant I would have been out every night this week.  As it was, it was hard to drag myself out of bed this morning!  Hopefully I’ll be able to go next year.

In all honesty, I really wanted to go just for the photo ops more than the event itself.  Luckily I was at the campus late the night before so was able to get some shots of the set up and the ice sculptures were sitting out in the courtyard this morning so I was able to quickly get a few shots.

Any locals attend the event?  How was it?

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Eagle Watch 2012

Posted on January 28th, 2012

After years of trying to get there, I finally went to check out the Eagle Watch today.  Eagles are prevalent in the area at this time of year and for two weekends during their peak time the community of Sheffield Mills organizes a festival of sorts.  They put out food in the mornings to lure the eagles out into the open for the waiting photographers.  Some people spend hours waiting for the perfect shot and today the eagles were being sneaky.  Photography courses and presentations were offered and Henry’s was out letting people experiment with some nice telephoto lenses.  There are also lots of community breakfasts and dinners around the area (we went to the yummy pancake breakfast in the main community hall) and displays, art and vendors set up.  Andy and Ariana played in the food hall.

I’m not skilled (or patient!) enough for wildlife photography, especially when the eagles don’t cooperate.  I went for the experience and to get the other shots that are a part of the weekend.

If you’re a local photographer, it’s a great venue!  Also, the Kings County Photo Club still has lots of workshops planned over the next couple of days as well as a contest.  Check their site for more info.  While the eagles will still be around for a while, the final ‘official’ Eagle Watch days for 2012 are January 29 and February 4th & 5th.  If you didn’t go today, I suggest the 4th for a well rounded experience or the 5th if you just want the eagles!

Oh… and I suppose I can’t leave off without posting a REAL eagle, so….

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Wishlist Saturday

Posted on January 21st, 2012

First of all, let me apologize in advance for the shortness of this post.  I’m trying to quickly schedule some posts while I’m away.

Photo links to source.

Anyone who knows me will know that I love my fountain pens.  And I’ve been getting into them more in the last couple of months.  My wishlist over at The Goulet Pen Company is pretty long with pens, inks and other accessories, though it’s shorter since I’ve already bought some things off the list!

One pen that has been on the list since day one is the Taccia Savanna.  It’s beautifully made from buffalo horn to mimick a tree branch.  I really, really want this pen.  Stupid money….

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New Year, New… Obsessions?

Posted on January 12th, 2012

So… I’m suppose to be saving money and paying off cards so I can travel this year.  So isn’t this just the perfect time for a new, costly, obsession!!??  (I suck…)

In the last two and a half months I’ve purchased a dozen fountain and dip pens as well as several bottles of ink.  Some were cheap, others expensive.  Some I ended up not liking.  One’s an antique.

Now, I’m not new to fountain pens; I’ve been using them for years.  But now, I pretty much use them all the time.  I have have two really cheap ones that I take back and forth to work.  I got a lot more into it, though, after reading someone’s post on the NaNoWriMo forums about them and linked to a great online store that sells pens and ink.  That store – The Goulet Pen Company – has received a LOT of my money since then! They have a great selection of pens, paper and ink, including ink samples and even an ink samples of the month club.  Their customer service is second to none and their shipping is reasonable and packed so well I’m sure the packages are indestructible (as well as making for a fun game of ‘hot potato’!)

I’d begun to think that it was impossible to get normal, inexpensive, every day pens in North America so I’m glad I’ve found this store and a few others.  In Germany, I could buy them in the stationary section of the grocery store!

So far my favourite pens are my Victorian dip pen and my Noodler’s Ahab Flex (which actually surprised me).

Are you a fountain pen user?  What is your favourite pen and ink?  Where do you shop?

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