Auld lang syne

Sorry for lack of blogging -- had a touch of the flu today.
But I just wanted to share this happy new year moment with everyone:



It's always worth remembering that, however dull your new year celebration was, at least it wasn't this bad!

Man of the decade

Kodachrome: 1935-2010

Today is the end of Kodachrome with the closure of the last processing lab in the US:

One of the toughest decisions was how to deal with the dozens of requests from amateurs and professionals alike to provide the last roll to be processed.
In the end, it was determined that a roll belonging to Dwayne Steinle, the owner, would be last. It took three tries to find a camera that worked. And over the course of the week he fired off shots of his house, his family and downtown Parsons. The last frame is already planned for Thursday, a picture of all the employees standing in front of Dwayne’s wearing shirts with the epitaph: “The best slide and movie film in history is now officially retired. Kodachrome: 1935-2010.”

Puppies

From Attaturk

US blizzard in Vimeo

From Balloon Juice

December 2010 Blizzard Timelapse from Michael Black on Vimeo.

Compare and contrast

George Bush complains his fee-fees were hurt when Kanye West said he didn't like black people.
Jimmy Carter eradicates a disease that has plagued millions of African people.

Merry Christmas to all

Over the Rainbow - Israel "IZ" Kamakawiwo'ole OFFICIAL VIDEO from Mountain Apple Company on Vimeo.

Great Christmas photos

From AP and Reuters:


choristers proceed from the nearby King's College School to the chapel at King's College, Cambridge, to take part in final rehearsals for the annual Christmas Eve Festival of Nine Lessons and Carols.


a Christmas party at the Small World school in Amman


the traditional Christmas bath in Monaco December 19


Shoppers at Baclaran market in Paranaque city, metro Manila December 18, 2010. The Philippines, the largest Roman Catholic state in Asia, observes one of the longest Christmas holidays in the world, beginning with dawn masses on December 16 to the feast of the Three Kings in January


a portion of Israel's separation barrier in the West Bank town of Bethlehem, ... The writing on the wall reads 'Merry Christmas world from Bethlehem ghetto'

Not an impressive debut

The first thing newly-minted Conservative Senator Larry Smith does is complain about the pay?
Nobody forced you to say yes, sir.
What an insult to Canada this appointment is.

"Stop crying and fight your father"

Photo of the year

Photo: Jim Tiller / Daytona Beach News-Journal

Questions about G20 remain

Gratifying news today that finally a Toronto police officer is being charged with a G20 assault. But Joe Warmington asks the follow-up questions:

What is still unknown is who made the decision to create the climate that resulted in this occurring in the designated protest area at Queen’s Park — the home base of the premier, democracy and free speech? Also, who told police officers to run away, and turn away, from real criminal activity on the Saturday and who flicked the switch to inflict repugnant pay back against mainly innocent people Sunday?
And where is Chief Blair?

Stormy weather

When I read stories like this and this, I'm glad I live in Saskatchewan, where it is mostly just cold.

Declare victory and leave

Booman would be happy if Obama could just declare victory and leave Afghanistan:

If we try to stay there forever, we will lose. Anyone who thinks the best use of our troops is in Afghanistan has been smoking too much hashish. Any honest, sentient human being knows this.

Courage

Amazing stories of resourcefulness and determination from the hundreds of people stranded on that Ontario highway, as well as from the courageous police and military rescuers who searched so diligently to make sure everyone was safe.