Vickie Guerrero speaks on Eddie's autopsy report

Eddie performing his signature move "The Frog Splash" on his good friend Dean Malenko

Updating my post from Tuesday, sadness-humour-and-stupidity-in...

From, wwe.com

Vickie Guerrero, wife of dead wrestling superstar speaks on her husband Eddie's autopsy report.

"It was heart failure. It was from his past – the drinking and the drug abuse. They found signs of heart disease. She (the examiner) said that the blood vessels were very worn and narrow, and that just showed all the abuse from the scheduling of work and his past. And Eddie just worked out like crazy all the time. It made his heart grow bigger and work harder and the vessels were getting smaller, and that’s what caused the heart failure. He went into a deep sleep."

Link

Mini profile of the inventor of the George Foreman Grill

Sync Magazine has a short profile of Michael Boehm, the man who invented the George Forman grill. I have one these little electrical wonders and I can't live with out it.

[Muhammad] Ali, Joe Namath and even Joe DiMaggio were tapped as potential talking heads for the all-pervading product, originally named the Short Order Grill. But Foreman, "he's kind of nuts, and he loves burgers," Boehm says, explaining his logic for choosing Gorgeous George. "I found out that he ate them before every fight!" About 70 million units have been sold since 1995, so does that make the Illinois-based innovator a bazillionaire? As a salaried employee of the grill's original manufacturer, Taiwan's Tsann Kuen, Boehm was entitled to a modest semimonthly paycheck—no more, no less. Foreman, on the other hand, received 40 percent of sales in exchange for lending his moniker and eventually sold his name outright for a beefy $127.5 million (plus $10 million in stock options).

Link

Later,
Kenaz

Inducing people to give up Explorer: Kill Bill's Browser

I switched to "Firefox" about a month ago, so when I found this site via boingboingI couldn't stop laughing. The Kill Bill's Browser site campaigns to get people to switch from Internet Explorer to the free and open alternative, Firefox. In addition to an hilarious, racy list of thirteen reasons to do this, the site comes with the news that Google will pay you a dollar for every person you induce to switch to Firefox, and has a script for alerting Explorer-using visitors to your site of the benefits of switching.

1. You'll only see porn when you want to.
Sick of seeing pornographic pop-ups all over your computer while you're helping your daughter with a research project? Since Firefox blocks pop-ups, you won't get tons of porn in your face when you're least expecting it. On the flip side, since Firefox stops spyware from taking over your computer, there will be nothing to slow you down when you go and look for porn.

2. Your kids will only see porn when they want to.
Sorry, buddy... the apple doesn't fall far from the tree.

3. Your computer won't spend its free time telling the world about Viagra soft tabs.
Experts say 80% of spam comes from hacked PCs. Firefox has much better security, so your computer will get hacked less. Do it for the children, the children! (caveat: reducing Viagra spam may also reduce total number of children.)

4. Mozilla doesn't inflate prices and use the money to vaccinate children in Africa.
Uhh... wait a second. Maybe Microsoft's monopoly hasn't been all bad. Better donate to Oxfam. Seriously, you should.

Link

Later,
Kenaz

Hamilton Ranked Fourth In The Province For Bad Roads

"The Municipal Roads Coalition" has announced their final results for Ontario's Worst Roads and Hamilton, Ontario ranks number four on the list.

The Municipal Roads Coalition is comprised of the following organizations. Canadian Automobile Association Ontario, Canadian Taxpayers Federation, Ontario Motor Coach Association, Ontario Road Builders Association and Ontario Trucking Association. Each year they allow Ontario citizens to voice their oppinions on the subject of which munipal roads they deem the absolute worst, then visit them to make the final declaration of "The Worst Road In Ontario". The nominees are...

Municipality Vote Count of 5000
City of Ottawa 884
City of Toronto 693
City of London 436
City of Hamilton 265
City of Kingston 262

And the winner is... (drumroll please!)

1. Steeles Avenue West Toronto/Region of York

Steeles Ave East and West-Toronto got 4% of the total provincial vote. One citizen described the street this way.

Potholes, after potholes after potholes, its like driving through a bombed out road and its getting worse every year. In some areas the road seems to have caved in with the amount cars that drive on this road. I always see people stop on the side of the road to see if there tires are flat.

And now the rest of the top 20:

2. Carling Avenue City of Ottawa

This is a terrible road to travel on... cracks, potholes, sinking manholes covers, etc... I'm tired of driving this stretch of road and putting that constant abuse on the car... please fix this tired road system!

3. Albert Street Township of Norwich
4. Division Street City of Kingston

My car trembles when it sees this stretch of street ahead of it. The only benefit of all the bumps is that it shakes all the snow off my car in the winter.

5. Western Road City of London

Too narrow, pot holes, large crackes, poor edges, sinking edges, cars dislike using outside lanes due to pot holes, cracks, etc, therefore taking longer . This is the road to University Hospital and Western University, what a disgrace for visitors to our city to have to experience. Let alone us citizens everyday.

6. Paris Street City of Greater Sudbury
7. Limebank Road City of Ottawa

Limebank Rd- Ottawa. One citizen described the street this way.

Very narrow road with narrow sloped shoulders. Three cars in the ditch this week alone (including one police car) and not even bad driving conditions. Also very dangerous for cyclists

8. Oliver Street City of Thunder Bay
9. Buchanan Avenue City of Hamilton

Hamiltonians were less definative as to our least favourite street, maybe because there is alot of contenders, expecially in the industrial east end. Both Barton St. and Burlington Ave. placed in the top five in the city, but it was the Mountain's own Buchanan Ave that topped the list. One unhappy resident described the pit of a street this way.

A patchwork of loose asphalt filler. Unable to ride a bike down the street . Pieces of asphalt breaking off all over.

10. Bathurst Street City of Toronto

cracks the size of craters, potholes, bumpy curb lanes with lots of ruts

11. John Counter Blvd. City of Kingston

John Counter Blvd and Division St-Clearly Kingston's pick for worst intersection. The two streets combined for a scary 40% of Kington's votes. One Kingston native described the insection this way

This is a major east/west access in Kingston and at most times during the day is congested. The road is in drastic condition (very rough) and narrow. It is the main road to the VIA and Bus Stations and several other industrial and commercial facilities and therefore is heavily used. Traffic also gets backed up due to a level railway crossing at various times

12. Welland Avenue Region of Niagara
13. Blackwell Road City of Sarnia
14. King Street City of London

King St-In London 21% of city voters gave this pot hole ridden street their thumbs down. The street was described this way.

Very dreadful to drive along if you use it daily. I have to use this road everyday to deliver parcels to Downtown shops. I can't drive more than 40km/h on King Street or all of the fragile packages will likely break. They need to repave this road now!

15. Laurier Crescent Town of Kapuskasing
16. Fennell Avenue East City of Hamilton

Inside lane is full of pothole. Disgusting can drive my car on inside lane or I will have no suspension left

17. Mapleview Street City of Barrie
18. Carleton Street City of St. Catharines
19. Notre Dame Avenue City of Greater Sudbury
20. MacLean Drive City of Timmins

To see how your street faired, click the top link to view the complete lists.

Later,
Kenaz

Tribute To Two Underated Actors

Philip Seymour Hoffman as Truman Capote in Sony Pictures Classics' Capote - 2005

Paul Giamatti in Universal Pictures' Cinderella Man - 2005

While most people are just beginning to think of Christmas, the people in "La La Land" have another gift giving season in mind. Yes, it is Oscar Season. And in the spirit, I give you my reasons why a new catagory for "Best Underated Supporting Actor". The qualifications for this category, include, any supporting or bit actor who turns in such a memorable performance, it makes you say "damn the movie wasn't the best and the leads didn't give their best, but hey that guy playing the ______ (insert buddy role) made this movie good.

Two great actors who are finally getting the attention they desearve for their contributions for cinematic excellance. Philip Seymour Hoffman and Paul Giamatti should both be up for Oscar consideration this year in the Best Actor and Best Supporting Actor categories.

Hoffman should be a lock for his portrayal of Truman Copote in "Copote" and it will be a same if Gimatti isn't nominated for his potrayal of Joe Gould in "Cinderella Man".

I have had the fortunate opportunity to be on set to witness the great contributions to their craft these two men have offered.

I was on the set of the (2003)Canadian drama "Owning Mahowny" to watch Hoffman potray Dan Mahowny, the soft demeanored Canadian banker who quietly executed the largest single-handed bank fraud in Canadian history, grossing over $10 million in eighteen months to feed his gambling obsession.

I was part of a casino scene that required Mr. Hoffman to show the vunerability of the character as he struggled with his addiction. I also had the opportunity to work directly with him on "Resident EvilII" as he gave a terrific performance as a wheel chair bound father trying to get his daughter (the lead little girl) out of "Racoon City"

As for Mr. Giamatti, it wasn't until earlier this month when I had the opportunity to watch (2004)"Sideways". Sorry for the pun, but this movie is like nurturing fine wine. This was the best "buddy films" I've seen in a while.

Giamatti and Thomas Haden Church(from Wings) are the two leads, playing friends who take us on a trip that begins in Southern California and continues up the coast to wine country, where they meet two women, Virginia Madsen and Sandra Oh, equally different, both a complement to the men and with whom the men pair up with. The fact that the Madsen/Giamatti pairing is tentative while the Oh/Haden Church pairing is essential to the back story of wine: where the latter display their affair "all over the place, commonly" like Cabernet, the former is defined closer to Pinot, and in one heartbreaking scene, both Giamatti and Madsen define their characters through the evolution of wine throughout the years.

This film made we think back to his performance in this years "Cinderella Man". In which as I have mentioned a few times in previous posts I worked thirty eight days on as a reporter at ring side. Thus, I had many opportunities to watch this great actor, at times cary the scene, when Russell Crowe didn't bring his "A" game. I think this shows in the film. He plays the manager who supports Braddock through thick and thin and his character recalls the era better than anyone in the film and is certainly worthy of nomination from the accademy.

I will be eargerly waiting for the nominations to come out to see if these two men get what they desearve. Until then, I leave you with a couple of great links that describe in detail the accomplishments of this couple of "thesbians".

Philip Seymour Hoffman sites:
IMDB
Daryn's Philp Seymour Hoffman Page
Philip Seymour Hoffman
Topix.net

Paul Giamatti sites:
IMDB
Interview about "Sideways"
NY Times

Later,
Kenaz

Sadness, Humour and Stupidity in the Entertainment World

MINNEAPOLIS - A World Wrestling Entertainment star was found dead in his hotel room Sunday in Minneapolis, where he was scheduled to appear that evening in a WWE show.

Eduardo Gory Guerrero, 38, didn't respond to a wake-up call Sunday morning, authorities said. His nephew, fellow WWE wrestler Chavo Guerrero, and hotel security at the Minneapolis Marriott City Center forced their way into the room and found him.

There were no apparent signs of foul play, police said. An autopsy was planned to determine how Guerrero died. more...
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Martha Stewart has been fired. NBC has elected not to renew the domestic diva's version of The Apprentice for a second season. The two-hour series finale on Dec. 21 will mark the end of Stewart's foray into Donald Trump's sector of reality television.

Asked if she expected the decision Stewart was quoted in Fortune magazine that she had been led to believe that her show would be replacing Trump's Apprentice, rather than competing with it.full story...

Maybe the design diva should stick to making pine cone wreaths and stay from the "Donalds" territory or beware of the wrath of the man with the quaff.
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Kazakhstan is spitting mad at Da Ali G Show mastermind Sacha Baron Cohen, threatening to sue the comedian because one of his characters, Kazakhstani journalist Borat Sagdiyev, ridicules its people. According to Reuters, Kazakhstan's foreign ministry held a press conference Monday to condemn Cohen's brand of politically incorrect buffoonery.

"We do not rule out that Mr. Cohen is serving someone's political order designed to present Kazakhstan and its people in a derogatory way," ministry spokesman Yerzham Ashykbayev told reporters. Full Story...
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Oh, one last entry, under the category "Be affraid, be very affraid". Last night Canada's Discovery Channel aired it's final episode of "Canada's Worst Driver" with a look at how Canada's "loser" compaired with the worlds terrors behind the wheel. Let me say, I hope these people NEVER! visit Ontario.

Let me first gloat. Canada, according to the Canadian Safety Council, has the third-lowest rate of traffic fatalities of the 30 nations in the Organization for Economic Co-operation and Development.

The show’s prototype, Britain’s Worst Driver, was a demolition derby that culminated with the worst of the Worst racing the famously difficult 10-lane Arc de Triomphe roundabout in Paris. The competitor who proved most incapable of negotiating the course — a 53-year-old mum who once confused her accelerator and brake pedal, inadvertently parking inside a neighbourhood pub — was awarded a Jaguar X-Type to accelerate her unwitting campaign of terror.

Canada's entry for the "dame of danger" award was Heather, a 59-year-old nurse from Medicine Hat, Alta., tried to work a five-speed stick shift while caught between a tailgater and a sluggish transport truck. Heather’s qualifications for appearing on Canada’s Worst Driver? In three decades of driving mainly Prairie roads, she totalled 10 automatic cars. So naturally she fell apart slip-sliding a standard transmission up a crowded, icy hill while her husband Ernie, a retired truck driver, sat in the passenger seat moaning, “Clutch in… clutch in!”

My favourite segment of the show was "Worst Cursers". I heard some unique butchering of language from the Canadian's but nothing like the axe job on the queen's language done by the Brits. Second runner up for me went to the Danish. Although I couldn't understand this bad apple sweetie, but at least she swore in a way that almost sounded melodic? Origional Story...

Later,
Kenaz

Current Playlist At The Eternal Kenaz

ADVENTURES OF MORSE - e32 Dead Mans Prowl - 44--08-12 n/a 08:51:34 32/44/sc 25:00

Authors Playhouse- Sam Smalls Better Half - 42-08-16 n/a 08:52:24 32/44/sc 27:35

Billie Holiday - Night_and_Day. - n/k 08:52:54 32/44/sc 3:06

Bo Diddley- I'm A Man -The Chess Story 1947-1975 (1955-1956 Part One) (Disc 5) 3:00

Bob Hope & Al Jolson- The Bob Hope Show 04-08-47 - OTR n/a 32/44/sc 30:10

Calling All Detectives- detective - 480901 n/a 32/44/sc 7:56

Dizzy Gillespie- Emanon - The Legendary Big Band 1948 concerts n/a 32/44/sc 4:32

FM471202 - Duck Hunting Trip - Fibber McGee and Molly 1947 32/44/sc 29:59

Glenn Miller Orchestra - Chattanooga Choo Choo - 19xx n/a 32/44/sc 4:22

Glenn Miller Orchestra - Kalamazoo - big band n/a 32/44/sc 2:42

Gunsmoke - texas_cowboys - 540712_ n/a 32/44/sc 29:04

Inner Sanctum - Creepingwalls - 1946-07-08_n/a 32/44/sc 28:40

Jack Benny - Jack_Looks_for_a_Replacement_S - 19xx n/a 32/44/sc 29:43

Jimmy Lee & Wayne Walker - Love Me - The Chess Story 1947-1975 (1955-1956 Part One) (Disc 5) n/a 32/44/sc 1:53

Jimmy Rodgers - The World's In A Tangle - The Chess Story 1947-1975 (1950-1951) (Disc 2) n/a 32/44/sc 2:56

Little Walter & His Nightcats - Juke - The Chess Story 1947-1975 (1952-1954 Part One) (Disc 3) n/a 05:32:17 32/44/sc 2:45

Muddy Waters - I Can't Be Satisfied - The Chess Story 1947-1975 (1947-1950) (Disc 1) n/a 05:36:52 32/44/sc 2:42

OTR You Bet Your Life - (11-2-49) Secret Word "Shoe" - Old Time Radio n/a 32/44/sc 24:58

Railroad Hour-Jubilee - d133. - 111951 n/a 32/44/sc 30:14

rings2-1 - lord of the rings - audio book n/a 32/44/sc 23:19

The Breakfast Club - variety - 41-12-08 n/a 32/44/sc 59:42

Vincent Price - Cat's Cradle - 19xx n/a 32/44/sc 26:56

The Eternal Kenaz will start its Christmas programing on December 1 bringing you all the great seasonal favourites from the likes of Billy Holiday, Bing Crosby and even some holiday episodes of favourite old time radio programs.

Later,
Kenaz

Rune Reading For The Week Of November 14-November 20, 2005

Introduction to Rune Readings

Rune readings are arrangements of the 24 runes (letters) of the old Futhark alphabet. The layout of the runes is known as a spread, and determines what each rune refers to. For example, in the Three Norns spread, the first rune represents the past, the second the present, and the third the future.

Sets: In addition to each rune having a meaning, the material in which the runes are carved can color the reading. Most people consistently use runes made of ceramic, stone, or wood. In order to broaden your experience, we offer readings with Gold Runes (for questions about business, career, and property), Jade Runes (for questions about love, friendship, and relationships), Ice Runes (for questions about struggle, conflict, and achievement), Spirit Runes (for questions about mysticism, spirituality, and religion), and Stone Runes (for questions about the natural world and things beyond human control).

Here we go.

The question will remain the same: "Will this week be a successful one?"

Rune Alphabet



Spread:Cross(in order of reading)
The Cross spread is used to plot the arc of your life and the forces acting on it. It is the most popular spread, giving a very complete view of the situation. Ice Runes are most commonly used for questions about struggle, conflict, and achievement.




Here is the Reading Using the Ice Set.

1.


The left rune represents an important element of the past. Eoh refers to the Yew tree. The Yew does not go dormant and therefore represents endurance. Even the wood of the tree is strong, resilient, and pliable - the Yew bends, but does not break. The evergreen nature of the Yew is present even in the rune itself, as it cannot be changed even by reversal. This rune is historically symbolic of death, but, as in the Tarot and as suggested by the nature of the Yew tree itself, death is seen only as a transmutation of something eternal and unchanging - the spirit.

2.


The middle rune represents a deciding element of the present. Othila is the homeland. Unlike Fehu, this is the rune of immovable wealth. On a deeper level, this rune speaks to that which you inherit, be it material or genetic. Since Othila is seen reversed here, the obstacles you confront are among those things in your background that you take for granted and consider fairly stable. Problems from the "homeland", from familial inheritance, or from our own origins may be worked around, but they cannot be made to go away. Fortunately, for many problems, this is all that is required.

3.


The right rune represents the critical element of the future, at the core of the final outcome. Ehwaz is the rune of the eight-legged horse that the god Odin rode into battle. Horses are symbolic of a number of things. Firstly, horses may symbolize vehicles such as cars, motorcycles, planes, or boats. Secondly, horses may symbolize not wealth, but status. Thirdly, horses may symbolize motion towards an objective. As such, this rune suggests a journey or a quest to achieve a goal or improve one's station in life. On a deeper level, the rune Ehwaz evokes the unique relationship of horse and rider as an inseparable team. To the modern eye this may be the relationship of master and underling, but to the Norse it was a total union. In fact, early representations of Odin are not of a man and a horse, but, of a centaur-like creature - the ultimate symbiosis of Man and Nature.

4.


The top rune represents a force that works for you. Uruz is the name of the Auroch, an extinct prehistoric ox. This animal was strong and brave, and was the focus of rites of manhood in older days. Reversed, this rune symbolizes either the lack of challenge, or the lack of preparation for a challenge. This rune suggests that you must reach deep within in order to gain the power you will need, whether to get out of your current rut, or to face what appears to be a hopeless situation.

5.


The bottom Rune represents a force that works against you. Nyd is frequently seen as a powerfully negative rune. You have drawn the rune reversed, which will lessen some of its effects. Generally Nyd represents loss, sorrow, and a hard journey with lessons learned. Nyd reversed here might be cautioning that the lessons might go unheeded representing repeated mistakes. The rune here might also be representing a minor loss or a nearly avoided catastrophe. Be careful, things are tricky and require strong attentiveness.

Later,
Kenaz

Rest in Peace

The man in the story is in fact my cousin, my heart goes out the rest of the Bell Family. Here is the death notice placed by his family.

BELL, Glenn - Suddenly, as a result of an industrial accident on Monday, November 7, 2005, Glenn, in his 43rd year, loving father of Justin, friend of Diane. Beloved son of Thelma Guitar (Troll), predeceased by his father Nelson. Glenn will be sadly missed by his brother, two sisters and many other family members and friends. Friends may call at the MARLATT FUNERAL HOME & CREMATION CENTRE, 615 Main St. E. (east of Sanford Ave.) on Wednesday from 2-4 and 7-9 p.m. Funeral Services will be held from the Marlatt Memorial Chapel on Thursday, November 10, 2005 at 11 a.m. and will proceed to Woodland Cemetery for interment. Memorial donations to the Children's Wish Foundation of Canada would be appreciated.

Here is the story from the Hamilton Spectator

Forklift kills driver pinned underneath
By John Burman
The Hamilton Spectator
(Nov 8, 2005)

A 42-year-old Hamilton man has died of injuries he suffered when a forklift he was operating tipped over yesterday, pinning him beneath it.

Glenn Bell, an employee of the Direct Buy building supply warehouse on Barton Street East in Stoney Creek, was using the machine to unload a tractor trailer in a laneway beside the warehouse, when the accident occurred at 9:40 a.m.

Belinda Sutton, spokesperson for the Ontario Ministry of Labour, said two Occupational Health and Safety Act orders have been issued against Direct Buy as a result of the ongoing investigation

The company, which sells building materials to outlet club members at wholesale prices, has been ordered to provide an engineer's examination report on the machine, she said. And Direct Buy has been ordered not to use the machine until the first order is complied with.

A spokesperson for Direct Buy was not immediately available yesterday.

"Mr. Bell was unloading product from a truck when it tipped, pinning him underneath," Hamilton police Acting Staff Sergeant Mike Cunliffe said last night.

Cunliffe said there were no suspicious circumstances about Bell's death, which is considered an industrial accident and is being investigated by the Ministry of Labour.

Later,
Kenaz

Tales From The Set

This weeks semi-regular tale from the set takes place for a change in my home city of Hamilton. On Wednesday it was a complete pleasure to spend the day at Liuna Station, the old train station situated near the down town core. You can see a picture of the beautifully restored building either in the "Kenaz Vault" or click the link in the side bar to vistit "The White Oliphant", my photo blog, and scroll down until you get to the pictures of Hamilton.

Anyway, yesterday I played a press photographer covering the book release of Franklin Delano Roosevelt: Champion of Freedom by Conrad Black in a CTV movie of the week entitled "Shades of Black". I had a chance to meet Canadian actor Albert Schultz and watch Hamilton-born filmmaker director Alex Chapple (Prom Queen), DOP René Ohashi (Saint Ralph), production designer Tom Bider (Terry) make movie magic. All of whom I had the pleasure of working for on the aft mentioned projects.

Here is the summerary of the movie from Playback Magazine

Albert Schultz and Lara Flynn Boyle are in town this month for the second half of the Shades of Black shoot. The bio of embattled press tycoon Conrad Black is booked at the Dufferin Gate studios until mid-November, with Schultz (Drive Time Murders) in the lead and Boyle (Twin Peaks, Vegas) as Lord Black's wife, Barbara Amiel Black.

Also in the cast are Jason Schombing (Cool Money) as Black's longtime and recently indicted colleague David Radler, and Amy Price Francis (Our Fathers) as Shirley, Black's first wife. Jason Priestley also appears as a fictional investigator.

The $5-million MOW got underway in the U.K. early this month, filming exteriors, gala balls, the lovebirds' wedding and the strike at Black's Daily Telegraph newspaper. It was to begin filming locally on Oct. 19 and will shoot for one month in Toronto, Hamilton, Galt and Cambridge.

Alex Chapple directs for a bevy of producers including Mary Young Leckie and Heather Haldane, both of local outfit Screen Door (Shattered City, Prom Queen), and Gub Neal and Justin Thomson-Glover for Box TV, Screen Door's partner in the U.K.

Chapple (Torso: The Evelyn Dick Story) is working with DOP René Ohashi (Saint Ralph), production designer Tom Bider (Terry) and composer Christopher Dedrick (Torso, Childstar). The script comes from Andrew Wreggitt (In the Blue Ground), based on the book Shades of Black - Conrad Black: His Rise and Fall by Richard Siklos.

The movie tells Lord Black's life story through a series of flashbacks going back to his boyhood.

"He's a character of very complex, tragic and epic proportions," says Leckie. "I think the script and the film will do very good service to that." She adds that, due to the ongoing legal investigation into Black, the production needed to buy plenty of insurance, even though it felt it was on solid ground with its research.

The project is backed by CTV's Heroes, Champions and Villains stream, BBC Worldwide and Screen Door. Delivery is slated for mid-February 2006, with a local airdate expected soon thereafter. Sean Davidson, with files from Mark Dillon.

That's all for now, later.

Kenaz

Remembrance Day

MIDI Bugle by Neville Young

On June 28, 1914, Archduke Francis Ferdinand, the heir to the Austrian and Hungarian thrones, was assassinated. Thanks to a complex web of alliances, and a month of failed negotiations, the First World War began in August 1914. Britain declared war on Germany on the 4th. This meant that Canada, still considered part of the British empire, was also at war automatically. By the end of the war, though, Canada had earned the right to sign the peace treaty as an independent nation. Unfortunately, this "birth of a nation" came at a cost. More than 60,000 Canadian soldiers were dead. NEVER AGAIN!


John McCrae: In Flanders Fields (1915)

Canadian poet John McCrae was a medical officer in both the Boer War and World War I. A year into the latter war he published in Punch magazine, on December 8, 1915, the sole work by which he would be remembered. This sonnet commemorates the deaths of thousands of young men who died in Flanders during the grueling battles there. It created a great sensation, and was used widely as a recruiting tool, inspiring other young men to join the Army. Legend has it that he was inspired by seeing the blood-red poppies blooming in the fields where many friends had died. In 1918 McCrae died at the age of 40, in the way most men died during that war, not from a bullet or bomb, but from disease: pneumonia, in his case.

During the war people interpreted the poem primarily as a pro-war poem although it is clearly an anti-war poem.


In Flanders fields the poppies blow (1)
Between the crosses, row on row
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

In memory of my Grandfather, who was of the lucky ones to have come home from this terrible war and for all that bare the scars.

"Canadian Expeditionary Force (CEF).


British War Medal 

Victory Medal 

This a copy of my Grandpa Gib Bells World War I military record as part of the Canadian Expenditionary Force from 1916-1919. 


Later,
Kenaz

Lest We Forget Part 6

Part six covers the battle that gave birth to one of the most famous Canadian poems ever written.

In Flanders Fields

The 11th hour of the 11th day of the 11th month of 1998 marked the 80th anniversary of the ARMISTICE that ended the bloodiest war in recent history.

The War Amps has produced a special documentary entitled In Flanders Fields to commemorate the occasion. It tells of the sacrifices of Ypres, the Somme, Vimy Ridge, and Passchendaele.

The producer -- War Amps CEO Cliff Chadderton -- realized, however, it would be necessary to "package" this production by telling some of the more interesting facets of the 1914-1918 war. For instance:

Three grandsons of Queen Victoria were involved -- King George of Britain and Czar Nicholas of Russia on our side, and Kaiser Wilhelm of Germany.

The spark that ignited the confrontation was the assassination of Archduke Ferdinand of Austria. Few may know, however, that the Adriatic seaport of Montenegro was the original "prize."

The domino effect was prominent because of the alliances. The Austro-Hungarian Empire attacked Serbia, Serbia was protected by Russia, Russia had a pact with France. Britain came in to protect the neutrality of Belgium.

The documentary tells the intricate story with easy-to-follow maps and closes with a heart-rending reading of In Flanders Fields, the timeless poem written by Canadian John McCrae.

Later,
Kenaz

Lest We Forget Part 5

Part five covers a tape that proves a painting is worth a thousand words, and then some.

No Man's Land

No Man's Land features a powerful collection of war paintings by Canadian artist Mary Riter Hamilton. This remarkable woman spent three years in the battlefields of Europe after the First World War Armistice to paint the scenes of destruction left behind by the war.

Her images, combined with archival footage of war-torn Europe, convey the horror and futility of war; a theme that is very much a part of The War Amps NEVER AGAIN! message to outlaw war forever.

Mary Riter Hamilton refused all offers to buy her battlefield paintings. Instead, she donated 227 canvases to Library and Archives Canada to be used for the benefit of veterans, their families, and future generations.

War Amps CEO Cliff Chadderton explains how these art treasures might have remained unseen if it had not been for the initiative of Dr. Angela Davis of the University of Manitoba. The War Amps agreed with Dr. Davis that Mary Riter Hamilton's works should be promoted, and welcomed the opportunity to produce No Man's Land. It was The War Amps, in fact, that provided some financing for the artist to visit the battlefields.

Mary Riter Hamilton had a consuming passion to pay tribute to the Canadian soldiers who fought and died in the "war to end all wars." Through No Man's Land, and an exhibition of her paintings that has travelled to several Canadian cities, her wish is at last a reality.

Later,
Kenaz

Lest We Forget Part 4

In part four I bring you the heroism exibited by all the men who fought on the fields of Vimy Ridge.

A Vimy Veteran Remembers

This production commemorates First World War battle of Vimy Ridge. On April 9, 1917, a corps of Canadian soldiers captured the strategic ridge in France from the Germans.

This marked not only a significant Allied victory, but also the first time Canadians had fought as an independent force, and not as part of the British Army. The Canadian Corps suffered 20,000 casualties -- 5,000 of these would never return home.

A Vimy Veteran Remembers features interviews with 90-year-old War Amps member Perce Lemmon, who fought at Vimy. He joins War Amps CEO Cliff Chadderton to describe what life was like as a young soldier fighting in the trenches. The use of extensive archival war footage makes his story come to life.

The production also features another prominent member of The War Amps, Fred Tilston, a Second World War Victoria Cross winner. Tilston talks about the four Victoria Cross winners at Vimy -- an indication of the gallantry of the Canadian soldiers.

Later,
Kenaz

Lest We Forget

In part three I bring you the heroism exibited by all the men who fought on the fields of Vimy Ridge.

A Vimy Veteran Remembers

This production commemorates First World War battle of Vimy Ridge. On April 9, 1917, a corps of Canadian soldiers captured the strategic ridge in France from the Germans.

This marked not only a significant Allied victory, but also the first time Canadians had fought as an independent force, and not as part of the British Army. The Canadian Corps suffered 20,000 casualties -- 5,000 of these would never return home.

A Vimy Veteran Remembers features interviews with 90-year-old War Amps member Perce Lemmon, who fought at Vimy. He joins War Amps CEO Cliff Chadderton to describe what life was like as a young soldier fighting in the trenches. The use of extensive archival war footage makes his story come to life.

The production also features another prominent member of The War Amps, Fred Tilston, a Second World War Victoria Cross winner. Tilston talks about the four Victoria Cross winners at Vimy -- an indication of the gallantry of the Canadian soldiers.

Later,
Kenaz

Rune Reading For The Week Of November 7-November 13, 2005

This week I am starting something different with my weekly reading. More fitting with the feel of my blog I have decided to offer a rune reading. Runes were first used over 1500 years ago by the East Goths, and later appeared throughout England and Scandinavia. As Christianity took hold, the use of runic alphabets in divination became reviled as a pagan practice. The word "rune" itself comes from an early Anglo-Saxon word meaning "secret" or "mystery", and they remain an enigma to the world at large. Runes were initially most popular among Wiccans and modern pagans, but have enjoyed unprecedented mainstream adoption in the past 30 years.

Introduction to Rune Readings

Rune readings are arrangements of the 24 runes (letters) of the old Futhark alphabet. The layout of the runes is known as a spread, and determines what each rune refers to. For example, in the Three Norns spread, the first rune represents the past, the second the present, and the third the future.

Sets: In addition to each rune having a meaning, the material in which the runes are carved can color the reading. Most people consistently use runes made of ceramic, stone, or wood. In order to broaden your experience, we offer readings with Gold Runes (for questions about business, career, and property), Jade Runes (for questions about love, friendship, and relationships), Ice Runes (for questions about struggle, conflict, and achievement), Spirit Runes (for questions about mysticism, spirituality, and religion), and Stone Runes (for questions about the natural world and things beyond human control).

Here we go.

The question will remain the same: "Will this week be a successful one?"

Rune Alphabet



Spread:Cross(in order of reading)
The Cross spread is used to plot the arc of your life and the forces acting on it. It is the most popular spread, giving a very complete view of the situation. Ice Runes are most commonly used for questions about struggle, conflict, and achievement.




Here is the Reading Using the Ice Set.

1.


The left rune represents an important element of the past. Man(Mannaz)-represents Mankind. This rune evokes the image that although we must make much of our way in the world on our own, there is nevertheless an entire populous that shares similar experiences. Thus, this rune represents the relationship of the self with the whole - working together we can produce great results. Additionally, Man speaks to intellect and culture that separate us from the animals.

2.


The middle rune represents a deciding element of the present. Laguz is the rune representing water. Laguz is a strongly feminine rune, and like the ocean contains much power of an uncontrollable nature. Here the rune is seen in the reversed, symbolic of the ebbing tide. This may suggest power being drawn away, or may perhaps the start of a journey. Since this is a rune of sexual power, the reversal can also suggest sexual problems or dissatisfaction.

3.


The right rune represents the critical element of the future, at the core of the final outcome. Ken(or Kenaz)is the rune of light and knowledge, driving away darkness and ignorance and revealing hidden truth. This rune also brings forth images of friendship and comfort. Ken is the light of inspiration, the light of imagination, and a beacon in the darkest hours.

4.


The top rune represents a force that works for you. Algiz plainly shows the antlers of the elk that it represents. The elk is the object of the hunt, and hence Algiz speaks to the pursuit of goals and the thrill of that pursuit. The rune is currently shown reversed, so this could suggest a failed endeavor or a lack of effort. Algiz is also representative of a protective hand (fingers open wide), so the reversed form may indicate a failed defense.

5.


The bottom Rune represents a force that works against you. Sowelu(Sowilo)is a strong symbol, for it represents the sun. Unlike equatorial cultures who may see the sun as a harsh and imperial force capable of causing droughts, in the cold north the sun is a purely feminine force that gives life and allows crops to grow. In dark times, this rune represents clarity of sight and the victory of good over evil. Sowelu is irreversible, as the cycles of the sun and seasons are perpetual.

Later,
Kenaz

Lest We Forget

"War Amps"
Today is the second day of a week long loog at the contributions of Canadian soldiers during World War I.

If Ye Break Faith

If Ye Break Faith examines the death and destruction during the First World War, from 1914 to 1918.

Narrated by War Amps CEO Cliff Chadderton, If Ye Break Faith features authentic film footage from the devastating battles of Ypres, the Somme, Vimy, and Passchendaele.

Members of The War Amps who survived the First World War talk about their experiences in a war that cost the lives of more than 10 million servicemen, including 60,000 Canadians.

The title of this documentary is an excerpt from the poem In Flanders Fields. It was written by Canadian Medical Officer John McCrae while he served overseas.

If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep, though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

These words are a reminder that the world must no longer ignore the cries of those who died in the "war to end all wars."

Later,
Kenaz

Today in History

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Here's a sobbering thought from this day in 1969. Famous movie ledgend Steve McQueen made a career out of getting under people's collars. He went through friends the way some people go through tissues, successfully alienated all three of his wives, and once threatened a studio exec with a chainsaw. So it's hardly surprising then that some people wanted him dead. On November 6, 1969, it was revealed that McQueen had joined fellow celebrities Richard Burton, Tom Jones and Frank Sinatra on Charles Manson's so-called "death list." The list was an informal compilation of everyone the hippie cult leader had a personal vendetta against. McQueen had incurred Manson's wrath simply because he failed to commission a script that he had sent to his production studio in 1968.

McQueen was understandably upset about becoming one of Manson's targets, and from that point forward he kept a handgun in his car's glove compartment. It was luck, however, and not the gun that eventually saved his life. McQueen had been invited to a party by fellow actor Sharon Tate on August 8, 1969, at her house on Cielo Drive. At the last minute, he chose to go on a date instead, and in doing so narrowly missed being involved in one of the most high-profile homicide cases of the century. That night four members of Manson's "Family" snuck into the house and brutally murdered Jay Sebring, coffee heiress Gibby Folger, Gibby's boyfriend Voytek Frykowski, Steven Parent, and Tate and her unborn baby. Had McQueen been present, he may have suffered the same grim fate.

Later,
Kenaz

Lest We Forget

Today is the first of seven posts leading up to "Rememberance Day". Each day I will provide a different example of the courage that our Canadian heros performed during the great war. Today I start with a summary of one of many great documentary tapes that the "War Amps" offers covering both World Wars and Korea.

The Blue Puttees

There is a remarkable story that comes out of the history of the First World War -- the story of a regiment from Newfoundland that earned itself the reputation as one of the best fighting Forces of the "war to end all wars." Yet, how little Canadians really know of this amazing group of volunteer soldiers, who travelled to the battlefields of France in 1916 as virtual unknowns, and returned in 1918 with the respect of the world.

This documentary tells the story of the Royal Newfoundland Regiment -- of its beginnings as a band of volunteers, who quite literally started with nothing, to build themselves into a properly equipped battalion; of its initiation into the rigours of trench warfare in Gallipoli; of its near annihilation at the tragic and bungled Battle of Beaumont Hamel in France; of its regrouping to distinguish itself in other significant battles throughout the war; and of what was perhaps the ultimate honour -- the awarding of the prefix "Royal" to the regiment by the British War Office before the war was even over.

Later,
Kenaz

The New Canadian Entrace Exam

I designed this little quiz on Canadiana trivia to help any persons planning to visit or even immigrate to Canada. This will also be a benefit to all existing Canadians who feel their knowledge of things Canadian are a little rusty. Here we go, all questions are multiple choice and best answered wearing a "took" and a pair of "mucklucks".

1.Canada's Capital is Where? and Called What?
(a)Toronto-Nathan Philips Square
(b)Ottawa-The Parliament
(c)Saskatoon-Wanuskewin Heritage Park
(d)Hamilton-Tim Horton's

2.Canada's National Anthem is:
(a)God Save the Queen
(b)The Star Spangled Banner
(c)Oh! Canada!
(d)Ar-r-r-go-s Suck!
(e)Stomping Tom Conner's "Hockey Game"

3.Canada's Head of State is Referred To As:
(a)President
(b)Prime Minister
(c)Supreme ruler
(d)A derogitory word referring to a donkeys rectum

4.Canada's World Famous Landmark is Called:
(a)The Perogie on a Fork
(b)The Rockie Mountains
(c)The C.N Tower
(d)Pam Anderson's Chest

5.Canada's Unit of Currency is Called:
(a)Denero
(b)American Greenback
(c)Yen
(d)Canadian Tire Bucks

6.Canada Has This Many Provinces and Territories:
(a)10
(b)12
(c)13
(d)2-Toronto and the rest of the country

7.Canada's Official Pastime is:
(a)Lacross
(b)Hockey
(c)Basketball
(d)Beer Drinking

8.What Motto is Inscribed on Canada's Coat of Arms:
(a)Et Tu Quebec?(You too Quebec?)
(b)A Mari usque ad Mare(From Sea to Sea)
(c)A Tout Provoir(All Will Be Provided)
(d)Voule-vou Goucher Avec Moi Ottawa? (Loose translation, have you shoved my rights where the ocean flows)

9.Canada is Known For What Food:
(a) Poutine
(b) Perogie
(c) The Beaver Tail(The Doughnut)
(d) Lager and Ale

10.Who is Canada's Current Leader:
(a)Bobby Orr
(b)Don Cherry
(c)Paul Martin
(d)One of the Hanson Brothers would be a better choice.

Bonus Question:For $100 in "Teddy Z Points"
Canada has provided the world with many great actors, musicians and sports stars. Which of these groups are NOT Canadian?

(a)John Candy, Shania Twain, Wayne Gretzky
(b)Eugene Levy, The Tragically Hip, Lorie Kane
(c)Jim Carrey, Avril Livigne, Jacque Plante,
(d)Johnny Wayne,Sandra Schmirler,Sharon,Lois and Bram

This was a trick question, all the above people are part of the Canadian fabric that every person in Canada has helped weave. Rejoice Canada! and all together now! tip your beer hat (carefully, don't spil any of that liquid gold) and scream at the top of your lungs I AM CANADIAN!

Later,
Kenaz