www.Scratchley.org : da blahg

Just got news from the Canadian Press  that Rick Hillier - Chief of Canada’s defence staff has stepped down, submitting his resignation.

While it isn’t the end of the Military in Canada, it most certainly is an end to a capable, savvy, and determined military man who has done more to bring Canada’s military into the 21st century than any before him, and likely any to follow.

Thank you General, for your efforts and dedication.  You have, and continue to serve your country faithfully and will always have my respect.

Libby

Originally uploaded by ‘Scratch’

Meet Libby. She’s the newest member of the family. She’s 5 years old and looks pretty good for her age. (Never rode hard - or put away wet.)

On deck? New Shocks / Springs, Trailer Hitch, Tow Hooks, Muffler, and a replacement stereo - cause the factory one blows.

Apparently - NASA engineers bit off more than they could chew after creating artificial intelligence for the new robotic components of the Canadarm on the ISS.

See note from NASA for the gritty details on “Dextre”.

http://antwrp.gsfc.nasa.gov/apod/ap080401.html

To save money, NASA will switch off Mars Rover Spirit for the Winter. What a disgusting fate for so intrepid an explorer!! What if it won’t wake back up?? Please DIGG this - maybe we can pressure them to restore the $4 Million to JPL. After lasting 1490 days into a ‘90 day mission’ - to be turned off due to lack of money? Hang Tough Rover Team!!

read more | digg story

A good find by Scoble on one of his many product highlights. The cool thing about this is that the tags are defined for you from a mined database. Similar to the approach facebook has taken to make a more accurate social graph, this provides more accurate tags and bookmarks - with a semantic twist.

These are some good friends of mine. Visit http://www.zigtag.com and sign up for the beta if you are in the tech-friendly generation. This is a must have tool.

read more | digg story

Viral… enjoy.

LINK

So get this - the same dude who runs HSM Plumbing (something is VERY fishy here) is also a ‘world-class’ (and I used the quotes on purpose) web developer who - get this… apparently also has connections to Britney Spears?

Ok… so now I’m thinking… Son has business, incorporates Dad’s plumbing business under the business name to avoid having to register a separate business…  So we have a family affair here - with some unusual business practice huh?  So - was it Dad or Son who tried to sell Britney’s hair?  Grifters? I wonder… How long until the Canada Revenue Agency audits this dude?

“Canadian web developer Hazim Gaber asked for upwards of $US1 million for hair he claims his employee snatched off the salon floor. He even promised to release a web video as proof of authenticity.”

http://www.thewest.com.au/default.aspx?MenuID=22&ContentID=21744

I wonder if this is the game “Hazim Gaber” who runs the web company - and tried to get on the board of the Gateway Newspaper at the University of Alberta?

http://209.85.165.104/search?q=cache:…

I’m stunned…. Bad plumbing, really bad web-development and hosting offers, and now he’s got Britney’s hair?!?!

I just can’t believe it’s not butter.

Click the “HSM Plumbing” tag below for the beginning of this saga.

SXSWi 2008 Sketchnotes: Great Design Hurts

Originally uploaded by Mike Rohde

Great stuff here. Mike Rohdes of Rohdesign has put together a fantastic collection of Sketchnotes from SXSW this year. While far from that land of design and collaboration in my daily life - I’m a huge fan of the results of such conferences.

Mike has created a fantastic cliff’s notes of his visit and aspiring DMedia and Design types should take a spin through the 36 pages and take a few notes of their own.

Cheers Mike - nice work!

http://www.flickr.com/photos/rohdesign/sets/72157604109069527/

I’ve completed work on the Doubleback Chironomid - video at YouTube.

Hook: Partridge Klinkhamer Extreme
Tail: Short emu barbules
Body: (underbody) Thread (midge colour - tan/black/grey/olive)
Overbody: Clear midge Liquid Lace
Back: Pearl mylar
Wingcase: Swiss-straw
Throax: Rabbit / simi-seal dubbing
Gill: Emu barbules. (optional)
(Link to video)

Do’s and Dont’s with Baby

What more can I say.

This is the book they all talk about when it comes to raising a child.