The PilgrimAge

Wasted (Redux)

nobody@vox.com(TimothyPilgrim) — Mon, 31 Mar 2008 09:57:06 -0700

I finally got to the Oshawa dump on Saturday and it was open. Now having run through the gauntlet that is the waste disposal facility, I'm more impressed with the operation. Coming from a rural upbringing, the dump to me was a large open pit of trash, speckled with seagulls and presided over by a solitary attendee in a dumptruck. I should've figured that in the Canadian epicentre of blue collar workers, being located in the same town as a massive General Motors plant, there would exist a proper waste facility.

Upon arrival, I was about fifth in line before the gatehouse. A stop/go signal light told me when to advance onto the scale and next to the booth where the first of many workers I saw asked what I was carrying. I replied that I had general garbage, computer components, and used oil. He asked me to proceed up a small hill where a stop sign requested that I halt and speak to another worker who told me exactly where to dispose of my unwanted possessions. When a spot opened, I backed my station wagon up to the edge of a dock, which found a large refuse bin on a lower level. I easily added my garbage to the bin, as did the van next to me. But he kept piling it in long after I was done.

Next I drove up to a pair of large wire bins that contained numerous computer parts, but mostly CRT monitors, of which I contributed two. I forgot to mention there were another eight or ten of these bins near the dump entrance overflowing with CRT monitors. Seems LCDs are just too popular to keep the old power hungry behemoths around. After also unloading a couple old computer cases, I pulled over to the hazardous waste area. I was instructed up a small set of stairs to the mouth of a large open funnel into a massive tank where I emptied the numerous jugs of old oil I've collected from various motorcycle services. A jug of coolant was added to a separate reservoir nearby. I placed my old sulphate-covered motorcycle battery to a skid bearing many others, and two empty paint cans were submitted to the attendant.

Now free of my burden, I drove to the exit weigh scales like all the other cars and trucks before me and a display instantly showed my required monetary contribution, a mere $20. I paid by credit card, though debit and cash would also have been accepted, and I was on my way with an empty car.

The operation was very impressive and it was being well-used. I figure upwards of a hundred vehicles were in attendance at the time I was there, always coming and going. I didn't see any open pit dump like I'm accustomed to, but the burms surrounding the facility alluded to its possible presence just beyond. I do believe I will be making another trip to the local dump soon, and might actually enjoy it a little more even.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Wasted

nobody@vox.com(TimothyPilgrim) — Wed, 26 Mar 2008 21:35:06 -0700

I can't overcome my most supreme disappointment with the Durham Region waste management system. It's a joke that has done nothing for me but pissed me off over the past couple years.

Realize first that I like to dispose of waste and recyclables properly. I was part a of handful of volunteers who pioneered a municipal recycling program, and was even considered to be its leader except for my mid-teen age, trudging through the trash that people gave us in a school parking lot to sort the items for proper disposal. My entire family was involved and we did this for a number of years.

But Durham Region, it seems, wants me to put all my trash into the green garbage bag. Oh, they're not explicit about it, but their actions drive me closer to the brink of giving up and trashing it all. I've been at constant battle with the guy who picks up my recyclables at the curbside, who is not the same as the trash guy. The recycling guy will always leave me something behind and I couldn't understand why for the longest time. Turns out the Region won't accept certain types of recyclable plastic (that other regions will accept, like Toronto), because they don't have a buyer for the end product. So for plastic, it's pretty much bottles only. You know those nice plastic tray that come with most food items? Not acceptable. But will they store them so that one day when a buyer is found they can be properly recycled? Oh no? Trash it, they say. Styrofoam? Trash. Not so in Toronto. Scrap metal that doesn't resemble a tin can? Trash.

WTF? I thought we were trying to divert trash from landfills? And do you think the pickup guy could return my two blueboxes and green bin to the side of my driveway so I don't have to park in the middle of the street when I get home from work to move them first? Not a chance. But there IS a good chance that there's a healthy amount of perfect paper left inside one of them anyway because the guy is too lazy/stupid to check and make sure the box is empty.

Now I'm doing a major spring cleanup of my basement and I fill the first of many carloads from my basement collection of useless junk covered in 3 years of dust and animal dander. This was 4 days ago and I'm still recovering from my allergies. I fill my station wagon right to the brim and drive to the local dump on a Saturday, because the website says that they're open Saturdays, closes Sundays, Mondays and holidays. Saturday, not a holiday, came after Good Friday, a holiday, and before Easter Sunday, also a holiday. When I arrive at the entrance, what am I greeted with but a locked gate and not one, but two vehicles making disgruntled u-turns in the entryway. The nicely produced sign "Closed Easter Weekend" hangs nicely in front of the gate. So on this nice long weekend where many people might take advantage of the time to do a little cleaning, we are cut off at the pass. Now what do I do with this carload of crap that I was anticipating getting rid of? I need my car during the weekdays, and I'm not trudging the unwanted treasure back down into the basement, so I have to unload it into my garage until I can fill the car back up again in a week, because they're not open Mondays remember (which as a government work I had off too and could've used).

How about that nice green bin kitchen waste recovery system that's been implemented? Good in theory, but the brown Biosak biodegradable bags they want us to use break down in a matter of a couple days, in the bin on the kitchen counter, before it can get to the larger outdoor green bin. Okay, so the brown bags are flaky and leak all over the place, but these green biodegradable bags from Glad last longer and the box says they're the same thing. Well after using them successfully for weeks, garbage pickup guy decides they're no longer acceptable and leaves me, without any notice, two weeks worth of rotting kitchen waste of a full green bin behind at the curb. Now I've got to hang onto this thing for another week. It's a good thing it's winter and the smell's bearable. Guess what happened to the nice green bags? You guess it, into the big green bag with the rest of the trash. Now I've taken to putting a nice green bag inside a crappy brown bag so that I can fill it in the kitchen, it won't leak, and once tied up will pass the brown bag inspection test at the curb!

I got thinking, our nice little consumer society has us all prepped for buying goods, which I wholeheartedly enjoy, but our waste disposal system REALLY sucks. And those new goods have a lot of packagine waste to get rid of. No wonder Tony Soprano was in the business, it's a goldmine for the private industry. Which makes me think maybe I should call 1-800-GOT-JUNK instead and get them to haul away my crap? I would never even thing of endorsing it because it's unsightly and inconsiderate, but I'm starting to see why there's a lot of illegal roadside dumping in the area. I'd like to do the right thing, but dammit, the local government is doing their damndest to ensure that I don't.

Smarten up guys! Get a functional system in order like a civilized country should have.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

SciBarCamp Recap

nobody@vox.com(TimothyPilgrim) — Mon, 17 Mar 2008 16:38:20 -0700

I was unable to attend on Sunday, so this recollection is only of the first full day of SciBarCamp numero uno, Saturday.

Although I intended to park in my dedicated spot at work only blocks away, I was late and made a bee-line for Hart House, delighted to see that parking was only $7 for the full day right in front of the building. Nice! Karl Schroeder opened up the day in the Music Room to a small crowd of drowsy attendees. More people arrived as the morning progressed. What's with all these people? Guess they don't have kids that wake them early. I decided to record each session as it started via Twitter, which I'm using now to compile these words.

Sessions of the day started with a presentation of Science 2.0 and of JOVE, Connotea and the Nature Network in particular to disseminate scientific research as it occurs. Privacy and intellectual property rights were issues taken heartily. We then heard about how to teach quantum mechanics simply such that a 10 year old would understand it. Next came the use of social media as a general communication tool moreso than being used explicitly for science. Bioengineering and synthetic biology came next with a quick pro-con presentation that yielded fascinating insights.

A Japanese gentleman braved his English and spoke about how the MIMA search works to relate subdisciplines of science under a collective umbrella. After lunch, musician Rick Sacks then treated us to an interesting display of keyboard and drums with prerecorded samples of speech and sound effects. His drum performance was really cool and can't be described here. A later group discussion focussed on whether technology actually makes us happier. There was a battle between the elder luddites and the younger adoptees that suggests the future of science will be online and connected as the older generation retires and dies off.

After the last session I attended in the Music Room, I ventured into the hallway where I found a freelance barrista! Of course I bought a cuppacino for a friend and myself and we ventured to the next session, sci-fi versus sci-fact, in the hallway before being marched in to a nearby room and being transmuted into a session on the internet emerging with a self-aware consciousness in a futuristic scenario. Much lively discussion was had, not all on topic. The sci-fi vesus sci-fact was then reopened for a short time. Then I moved to another room for a panel discussion on time and space. I wish I'd caught the start of that one and got lost in the middle of the conversation. That was the end of my official time at SciBarCamp!

SO...

My thoughts? Well, Robert J. Sawyer blogged about the scheduling of the event and how it could've been much improved. I like the method used at PodCamp Toronto, whereby the sessions were proposed in advance on the public-access wiki, and the schedule determined a short time in advance. That would also allow attendees to combine similar topics themselves without relying on the organizers to do it for them. The facility was incredible with striking architecture and the real feel for being in the halls of academia. The calibre of attendee was also notable, with several people representing the Perimeter Institute in Waterloo, Ontario and various universities. I also like the number of sci-fi and sci-fact authors present, since they tend to see where trends will lead us in the future. All in all, I had a great time and was thrilled at what I got in a day and a half, including parking fees, for less than the price of going to the movies!

I eagerly await the sequel.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

SciBarCamp Evening Introductions

nobody@vox.com(TimothyPilgrim) — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 07:39:45 -0700

Friday evening saw the opening of the world's inaugural SciBarCamp. Upon arrival, drinks were found at the bar and former strangers easily socialized. This was due in no small part because each person was encouraged to write their own nametag that also outlined what they do and what they're interested in. Those with wireless devices like laptops and PDAs were given instructions on synching up with the free onsite wifi.

The organizers soon opened the event by explaining the process to propose a session and how to express interest in the twenty or more that appeared. We were asked to stand in a really wierd oval that filled the room and introduce ourselves. This took some time with some 120 attendees. After that task we signed up for sessions and mingled. Before people disbursed for the night, some to the pub, some for home.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

SciBarCamp

nobody@vox.com(TimothyPilgrim) — Tue, 11 Mar 2008 10:00:49 -0700

Since I haven't posted in a while, this should be special, right? Well I've got a good one.

I'm so excited that I'll be attending the inaugural SciBarCamp at the University of Toronto this weekend. This event is in the typical Barcamp style of un-conference, and stems from the original Science Foo Camp that occurred at the Googleplex in 2006 and again in 2007. Whereas that event is invite-only and is chock full of incredible minds, SciBarCamp looks to emulate that calibre of attendee but is more open, capped at just over 100 people due to space constraints.

While I'd probably want to attend SciBarCamp anyway, being most interested in such things, I'm looking forward to being in the presence of great minds such as those from the Perimeter Institute for Theoretical Physics. I've been enamoured with the Perimeter Institute at a distance since its inception near my alma matter in Waterloo, Ontario. I recognized Lee Smolin's name but his website rang no bells. However, I finally realized I had read his words in various skeptical arenas. Michael Nielsen is an organizer and has written some good blog entries. He's interested in the way science will change in the coming years, what with this new method of communication called the internet. It is already drastically changing the way scientists conduct research and interact, destined to leave the traditional journal industry in tattered ruins.

In addition to those mentioned will be some people who may be considered the prognosticators of science to come, science fiction authors Karl Schroeder and Robert J. Sawyer. While I haven't read Schroeder yet, his website is slick and the imagery makes me want to. Sawyer on the other hand is a great writer of hard SF and I've met him a few times in the recent past, as well as having exchanged writings on his email list. He's easily accessible to anyone who takes the time to talk to him and he's a credit to the profession, especially given that he sets some of his stories in Canadian localities that I can relate to. I look forward to meeting him again this weekend, along with all those attendees I've yet to admire.

The un-conference begins Friday evening and only then will the schedule be determined by the attendees themselves, lasting through to Sunday. The topics should be wide ranging, from the all-new Science 2.0 and the cutting edge of research to communication with the public. Attendees are expected to come prepared to participate in full instead of sitting at the back of the classroom, osmotically absorbing (or not) the information like a standard lecture. I've got my own ideas of what to discuss. Since I'm a government scientist, I'm thinking that politics and/versus science would be a great tract to initiate. The possibilities are endless yet immediate because our current federal administration in Canada seems to want to emulate the anti-science administration found to the south. The need for world governments to consult and rely on what science can tell them has never been greater.

Lastly, while reading through SciBarCamp preparatory material from other attendees, I found this blog post on the future of the publication of scientific research. Fascinating!

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Adventures in Overkill

nobody@vox.com(TimothyPilgrim) — Mon, 01 Oct 2007 20:08:43 -0700

I upgraded my TV this past weekend, by a factor of a lot. I purchased, and installed, a Viewsonic PJ506D DLP front projection system with an Elite 80" screen that pulls down in front of my RCA 27" CRT. The old boob tube is about 7 years old now and cost as much then as this system did now. Mind you, this is a lower-end package deal that threw the screen and ceiling mount in for free, but at under $600 to my door, it's hard to beat. The projector is only 800x600 SVGA quality, that's standard def in modern parlance, which is fine because I don't have a high definition source anyway. And both the projector and screen are the old 4:3 aspect ratio, just like TV, which is also fine. Throw on a widescreen DVD and you've got a 5' wide image that's about 3' tall. Turn it to a TV channel and woah, the picture is enormous in the little room I've got it. It's almost too big and I suppose I could move the projector closer to reduce the size, but that would be just wrong. At 2000 lumens, it's brighter than most and can be seen easily in daylight, and with a 2000:1 contrast ratio, it's got a great dark-to-light range. These are features seldom seen together in this price range, which has made this a hot commodity for people looking to get started in the front projection world.

An important aspect about a projector is that it's located at the opposite end of the room (if small enough) than is the screen, so if your cable / satellite receiver is by the old CRT like mine is, you need a cable that's long enough to traverse the distance. To hide mine properly, I needed about 40' of wire. The projector has no fancy digital inputs, like DVI or HDMI, so I looked for an SVGA cable at Best Buy. Their longest was 12' at $50. I laughed and went to a home theatre specialty store where I found a very helpful employee. I expected him to try to sell me an expensive Monster cable, but listening to my story, he explained to my a simple 50' shielded coaxial cable with screw-in RCA connectors at either end should work well enough. At about $38 out the door, I was in business. I've since learned of an online store that sells a 50' S-video cable for about the same, so I -might- try that. But for now, I've got a very workable solution, and we're happy.

My friend turned me onto the deal (the idea was in my head years ago) and he bought the same system first, so I was able to check out his after it was installed. I was impressed enough that I decided to bite the bullet too. He also has an HD receiver and was able to show me an HD signal. VERY impressive, much moreso than SD. The projector only has 600 vertical lines of resolution, short of the 720 or greater normally associated with HD, but qualifies for the little-known EDTV resolution of 576 which is the same as the European PAL standard. The HD signal is downconverted to display and I must say that even so, it looked really good. I might need an HD receiver too. Too bad Discovery is not one of my satellite provider StarChoice's free HD channels though. I did get to watch their original show Race to Mars last night anyway. That was cool.

I've now witnessed first hand the infamous Rainbow Effect that DLP projectors are known for. In dark regions of the picture, if you look suddenly to a different area of the screen, you'll see a flash of RGB banding. It's also apparent in scenes of motion. This is because the projector uses a rotating disc that has colour windows on it. A monochrome image is shone through one of the windows as it passes by the solitary DLP chip, and the projected frame is synchronized with the colour presented at that time. The Rainbow Effect is an artifact of the eye/brain computer processing the image on the screen at a slightly different rate. More expensive projectors have a different chip for each of RGB, being a 3-chip system, with no rotating disc and thereby eliminating this effect. If you want to see how cool that picture is, go to the cinema and watch one of the digital screens, they use a 3-chip DLP projector. I saw Star Wars Episodes 2 and 3 this way and the detail was incredible. Back at home, I've noticed the effect is less pronounced the more you watch it, so it's quickly getting more bearable.

All in all, I'm glad with my purchase, and so is the wife. And that matters the most, because if the boss ain't happy, there's no avoiding it.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Checking Out Parliament Hill

nobody@vox.com(TimothyPilgrim) — Sat, 25 Aug 2007 23:52:53 -0700

It is the wee hours of the morning here in the rural countryside north of Kingston, Ontario. I spent the last few days in Ottawa with my professional colleagues from worldwide in a workshop, and stayed at a nice hotel just steps from Parliament Hill. Ottawa is a wonderful city and the architecture evident around the hill is stunning in its antiquity and grandeur. Unless you're visiting the University of Toronto, it's something you rarely see in Canada's largest city. Rather, there is a sense of national pride that makes up the stone of our capital's halls. Fitting it is, though, that such architecture would be found at the centre of our country's government, for what place of higher esteem is there than Parliament Hill?

When my work was done and I said goodbye to my professional friends, my wife, son and I decided to stay an extra night in town so that I could see what sights I could before vacating. We took a nice stroll down Sparks Street and I found the coolest little shop, Astrolabe. It's an historical cartography shop, with framed maps from days gone by, geographical artwork in my eyes. I didn't step inside but at least I know it's there now so I can return. I've been to Sparks Street before, but it's nice once again to see the pedestrian-only laneway next to the parliament buildings. The cafes in the middle of the road are a nice touch, no?

We proceeded around the Hill and I saw the house of ferrell cats I'd recently heard about. There was a man sitting on a nearby bench who apparently takes care of the cats, and built the large house for them some 37 years ago. I understand that the government gives them the residence and pays for their food. It's quirky and it's neat. A great view of the Ottawa River can be had from an outlook next to the cathouse. Around back of the Hill, the Museum of Civilization can be seen across the river in Hull. You can't miss it's wavy appearance apparently due to the native mythology that right angled corners trap bad spirits. It's hogwash of course, but makes for a neat building design. I really love the Parliamentary Library at the back of the Hill. You have to see the stonework to really appreciate it. We rounded the Hill checking out the locks of the canal and made for the Rideau Centre shopping mall nearby for some grub and beer before heading back to the hotel to eat and drink.

What fun Ottawa is!

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

The Last Acceptable Discrimination

nobody@vox.com(TimothyPilgrim) — Thu, 02 Aug 2007 13:50:42 -0700

I had to comment on the Globe and Mail's article today about the Boy Scouts' centenary yesterday. You can read the article and its comments at this link, but I provide my comment in full below.

I give a bitter-sweet congratulations to the scouting movement on its centenary. With the inclusion of so many different cultures now, why is it that I, as an atheist, am discriminated against? The first principle of scouting is a Duty to God. I spent much of my childhood in the Boy Scouts of Canada: first as a Beaver, then a Cub, then a Scout, 7 years total. I still have my uniform, lanyard and sash with all my badges, yet this sole "principle" is the one reason I am not active in scouting today. This troubles me because I have a new son who I'd like to enroll, and I would love to be able to volunteer as a leader, but as I matured and studied the natural world around me, any such supernatural beliefs were shed. I am now an upstanding and productive member of society who contributes the best he can, yet I cannot yield to this barrier. I ask the scouting world, if you can be accommodating to so many different people, why can you still find it acceptable to reject me?

Earlier today I listened to the latest Point of Inquiry podcast that is produced by the Center For Inquiry. The interviewee was asked about his thoughts of atheism being the last form of discrimination that is publicly acceptable in our society, his being American. It's much easier, I think, to be an atheist in central urban Canada because it's such an inclusive society, but the interviewee made a good point. He didn't believe that we are persecuted to the point that we have to ride at the back of the bus (though that was a coveted seat in my school days), or have to use a separate water fountain. It's not nearly that dire, but it is still difficult to be a leading public figure and be an atheist. George Bush the First stated that he didn't believe that an atheist should be allowed to be president of the USA, I doubt that George II is any more lenient. CNN actually allowed an atheist to ask a question to the recent Democratic debate, and he probed the candidates for the personal stance on belief / non-belief and whether they would consider him an equal citizen. This prompted each candidate to, what else, state they were good Christians, but it also brought out a couple of proclamations of equality and church/state separate. Praise be to Obama!

Our current Prime Minister is cut from a similar cloth as the Bushes, but then, look at who he represents. And I'm not talking about a forward thinking constituency. He looks like a used car salesman for gawd's sake, and we all know how trustworthy they are. No, I think that society at large is still apprehensive about my kind because they don't believe that we have morals enough to lead. Well, we've got morals all right, just not the backward, archaic morals they've managed to cling to. Thankfully there is a march forward among atheistic notables with Hitchens', Dawkins' and Harris' books catching wind. Someday we will be equal, someday, and I'll get to scout again.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

More Than Meets The Eye

nobody@vox.com(TimothyPilgrim) — Sun, 08 Jul 2007 11:01:21 -0700

When I was young, I played with toys just most other little guys. Some played with G.I.Joe or Star Wars action figures, others with Thundercats or Hot Wheels, but my toy of choice was a fairly popular type of alien robot that would camouflage as various modes of transportation in order to fit into our world. No, I'm not talking about those wimpy GoBots! I play with the superior toy, the only toy that mattered, the Transformer.

Now that I'm all grown up, at least by years lived, I play with the real thing in my cars and motorcycles, but there's still an affinity for the toy in this man. In fact, there are a lot of grown men now who used to play with Transformers when they were young, and some of these men work in film, an industry that has been transformed with the advent of computer graphics. In recent years comic books have been adapted exceptionally well because scenes are now produced that previously could only be imagined. It's been a windfall for people like me who also grew up on comic books, and my Transformers have now finally hit the silver screen.

Opening last week, I finally got to see it for myself on Saturday after my plans for opening day fell through. I wore my Autobot t-shirt and was not disappointed, neither was my neighbour who saw it with me. The characters were changed somewhat from the original cartoon, which my parents lamented was only used to suck kids into buying the toys, but they retained a fair bit of the traits that made each one special. I was really happy to hear Peter Cullen's voice revived for Optimus Prime, but sorely disappointed that Frank Welker was not chosen for Megatron, who's bark had a certain evilness that cannot be replicated. Hugo Weaving did an adequate job on the Decepticon leader, but it wasn't the same. The rest of the robotic characters didn't get much in talking, but I guess that's the way the movie goes. The story revolved mainly around Sam Witwicky (originally Spike Witwicky in the cartoon) and his smoking hot girlfriend Whats Hername.

The action scenes were excellent, but the new design for the aliens made it difficult to see who was who when things got intense. The original toys transformed such that a fair amount of coloured vehicular bodywork was covering the robot body and the Transformer was easy to identify. But the movie robots had a lot of exposed internal componentry, too much at times, especially around the faces. And since the internals tended to be similar in colour between all the Transformers, when two or more battled it out it was difficult to tell them apart. Back to the facial structure, I wasn't keen on Megatron's appearance at all. And what the hell was he supposed to resemble. He was a Walther P-38 handgun originally, but was an alien jet for some reason this time 'round. Didn't like that much at all.

I liked that the filmmakers added a heavy dose of comedy, like when these five gargantuan robots are hiding in Sam's backyard from his parents, crouching under the veranda or pressed up against the wall. It was really quite humerous and Sam's mom had some choice lines too, much like Eugene Levy's father figure in American Pie. Ahhh, understanding 21st century parents are good for a laugh, eh? Also cool were the many jokes or hidden gems from the animated Transformers The Movie and the cartoon that really fleshed out the characters.

But I think best of all was how the movie was left open in the end to add a sequel or two which would, er, just be awesome. I enjoyed this one so much, and I can see watching it a hundred times over like I did the animated movie, that I can only hope for much more to come. Thank-you Michael Bay for making this film, and if I can suggest for the next one, more Starscream (the insolant punk) and many more Transformers. I can see this being a franchise that could kick some serious Decepticon ass! Not that some Autobots shouldn't get their due.

And thank-you to the two guys in crew cuts that had a grey Nissan Xterra in the parking lot with a big Autobot symbol in white on the hood. That gave me a good laugh!

edit: Reading an interview with Peter Cullen, there will be sequels! Spoke Cullen, "But Optimus will be to a larger degree in the second and third movie and that was explained to me from the very beginning by one of the producers."

Read and post comments | Send to a friend

Babies Are Good Social Props

nobody@vox.com(TimothyPilgrim) — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 10:27:10 -0700

Ever notice how people go ga-ga over babies? It's a very strange phenomenon, but I'm getting to make use of it nowadays and it's kind of fun. Until shortly before I had my own kid, I was pretty anti-child ever since I was in high-school. Even when I got married I wasn't looking forward to kids. Now the story is a little different with the little guy in the house and it's been fairly pleasant. Mind you, that's just one baby, I don't know how people with multiples do it.

One benefit I didn't foresee was the inordinate amount of attention he gets when he goes out into the world. It helps that he's super-cute (cute wasn't in my vocabulary before), but it's like he's got the power to make people melt when they look at him. The waitress at our weekend breakfast diner goes totally nuts over the little dude, and she doesn't much like kids either. Yesterday my wife and little guy visited the office. The office women flocked to see the beauty of the product of my loins, and much new-parental talk ensued. Afterwards, we went to the free Toronto Outdoor Art Expo downtown and it was busy. Once again, a baby catches the eye of many people who would otherwise have no interest, and for good reason. Including that creepy, staring, bag lady in the park.

Babies and puppies too are great pickup tools for guys. Chicks seem to flock to such a public display of cuteness. Of course, if one's wife is on one's arm at the time, the usefulness of this tactic is limited but not entirely negated. A baby is a lot of work and a lot of my free time at home is involved with him since he can't fend for himself. My wife devotes even more time because I'm at work all day. How couples survive with more than one child I cannot fathom without losing my sanity. It's a good thing our guy is so great and easy to get along with. I think the story I told him of the recycling bin for bad babies might have had something to do with it.

Read and post comments | Send to a friend