How sweet! I want that cake to be my birthday cake too!
“yaaaaaay!!!!”
A Special Cake
[youtube X1CqDA7BnM0]
Video of the day: Tropicana “Arctic Sun”
Although I live in Canada and am proud of it, I rarely think about our Arctic North, which is actually a large part of our Canadian identity. I really like this video because of the beautiful footage of the people and lifestyle in the north, as well as its beautiful “Sun.” It features a song I really like and later downloaded too (“Great Escape” by Patrick Watson).
[youtube abkIIypRWv4]What Libya Could Mean for the World
It’s as if the entire world is scrambling to reorder itself as Egypt’s “revolution” seems to have made some sort of difference for now. Uprisings have been reported around the world with varying degrees of failure. However, it seems regarding Libya, there is a real concern in the world that Gaddafi may be the next to fall.
The progression of the uprisings is not what I am interested in writing about; you can probably do a search and come up with better sources than me. What I do want to discuss is the possible repercussions of a revolution in Libya.
Libya is an oil-producing nation, the third largest in Africa to be more informative. Due to recent events not a lot of transactions of oil have been made. Though Libya only contributes around 2 per cent to the global oil exchange, any oil in today’s world is important and countries like America could very well need that extra 2 per cent. As a result, you’ve probably noticed the gas prices increasing recently. Socio-political changes inside Libya even after the uprisings could still mean getting oil out of Libya becomes unsafe and unreliable. As a consequence, large oil-consuming countries may turn to alternative locations where oil is readily available and there are no instability or hindrances to obtaining it. Lo and behold, living in the province of Alberta, there is a large deposit of oil right in our backyard. Nations may turn to alternative sources for the liquid gold.
It is interesting to observe countries’ reaction to the uprisings, but China in particular seems to be the most peculiar. Much like over 2,000 years ago, China is still relatively isolationist in terms of its foreign policy, as it does not want the world to interfere in their nations’ internal affairs. Yet despite that most of the Chinese in Libya have already fled the country, China is sending four military transport aircraft and a guided-missile frigate off the shores of Libya. This is reasoned to China’s fear of a large uprising within herself and therefore she is supporting this movement for “freedom.” Hypocritical as it may be this could be the dawn of a stronger presence from China on the global stage when enforcing various policies. China is very carefully pushing an envelope and one miscalculation could lead to instability.
Middle Eastern relations may change, as with Egypt. If Gaddafi is on his way out, who will replace him? It could be another dictator or a faulty democracy. With 97 per cent of its population being followers of Islam, the Muslim Brotherhood may become a legitimate contender for political power. The establishment of a democracy in Libya could do more harm than good and let’s not forget, Italy is just a few nautical miles from Libya. As times change in the region, Europe may also need to reconsider how it will deal with its new neighbor, be they friend or foe and with instability within Europe herself things may escalate very quickly if care is not taken.
Follow the Libyan Uprising at the New York Post. Learn more about China’s role at The Economist.
Video of the Day: 5 Strand Braid
This is a unique take on the old braid that everyone is familiar with. This look is great as Spring is approaching!
[youtube qeNaAGjqPmQ]Churchill Idol Part 1
Remember last year’s Churchill’s Got Talent at Sir Winston Churchill High School in Calgary? Well, this year the talent show is back again. This time the winner can get a chance to record a professional studio album and this one chance might change their whole life. There were many contestents and they were all pretty amazing. Let’s check it out some of them.
[youtube 67l9OiOinE8] [youtube -Smdgqby1ew]iPhone 4 Tips and Tricks
Hello again everyone! Unfortunately I was not able to post for a little while because I was out of town and internet was both scarce and exceedingly expensive. Rest assured, however, that I am back and ready to roll. Today’s post brings you a brief but informative guide about the iPhone 4 that will hopefully prove useful to new and old users alike. Without any further delay, let’s get started.
Organize – Folders
If you’re like me, you probably don’t like having an unorganized cluster of icons all over your home screen without any semblance of order. That’s where the new Folders feature comes in handy. To create a folder, touch and hold an app until it wiggles and then drag it onto another app. A folder will automatically be created and named according to the apps inside it: Games, News, Sports, etc. You can have up to 180 folders on your iPhone. And since each folder can hold 12 apps, that means you can keep up to 2,160 apps organized on your iPhone at any time. Huzzah!
Organize – Multitask
Double tap the home button to reveal your recent used apps, scroll right to see more apps, then tap one to re-open it. This is incredibly useful for keeping radio, gps, or VoIP calls going while you play tap tap revolution or whatever it is kids do with their phones nowadays. I suppose it could also be useful for hooligan-like activities… texting in class, and gallivanting about with all the tom foolery and what not. For shame!
Beautify – Wallpaper
1. Select Photos App
2. Pick Photo
3. Set as Wallpaper
4. ???
5. Profit
Sorry the fourth step was eaten by some sort of gorilla. Gorillas… grrr
Utilities – Air Print
If you have a printer with Air Print enabled, you can print from your iPhone wirelessly. Here is a list of compatible printers:
http://www.apple.com/iphone/features/airprint.html
Utilities – Voice Control
It’s the future! Why should I have to push buttons!? As the name implies, Voice Control allows you to perform functions on the iPhone with only your voice. To activate Voice Control press and hold the Home button until the Voice Control screen appears on screen. Command list here:
http://atmac.org/wp-content/uploads/iphone-voice-commands-ios4-us.pdf
Now if only I can get my <significant other/relative/pet> to do the same.
Battery Life
Want to conserve your battery? It may seem like common sense but you’d be surprised how many people don’t know.
- Turn brightness off
- Turn 3G off
- Turn Bluetooth off
- Kill background apps
- Turn off wifi
- Turn off push notifications
- Turn off push email
- Fetch new data manually
- Turn off vibrate
and turn your phone off. Wait scratch the last one.
Data Roaming
On the off chance you travel to another country and forget to turn your data plan off, you could literally be charged tens of thousands of dollars for your foolishness. So if you are flying to Mexico for vacation, turn airplane mode on, or turn off your data plan. If you’re like me, do both.
Passcode Lock
Go to your settings, and disable the simple passcode option. Boom alphanumeric baby. Come on, no love for Reboot? Jeez, everyone is a critic. I’ll be in my trailer.
Calculator
Turn your phone on its side when using the Calculator, revel in the expanding functionality.
Rotation Lock
Double- tap the Home button. (The screen will slide up and you’ll see the apps that are “multitasking.”) Now, swipe right across the bottom of the screen. You’ll see iPod controls and, to the very left, the Portrait Orientation Lock button. Tap to lock the screen in portrait orientation. This will stop the phone from flipping the screen when you don’t want it to.
That’s all for now! Cheers.
Whaddya mean I don’t have a trailer!? That’s it, I quit.
Video of the day: 5-year-old needs a job before getting married
This five-year-old knows what she wants.
[youtube 0rbMHLDY1pA]Bookie Review: Flipped
Okay, so you’re probably wondering, what on the earth is a “bookie?” Well to save space, my post will be a review on the book and movie, Flipped. The book was written by Wendelin Van Draanen and judging from this book, she’s a wonderful writer! The book focuses on two characters (who switch perspectives in the book and movie), Juli Baker and Bryce Loski. One day, the Loski’s moved into a house beside the Baker’s and the reader and viewer are immediately hit with Juli’s enthusiasm. Basically, she becomes obsessed with Bryce and like all young boys, they think girls have cooties.
The story does a wonderful transition between the boy’s perspective and the girl’s. I first watched the movie (I don’t know about you, but I rather watch something then read the more detailed book rather than read a book and criticize the movie) and was mesmerized! The actors were great, the set was simple but attractive and the costume designs felt genuine. The movie sets the story in the early 1960s compared to the book’s 21st century time era, but it seemed more appropriate and the story totally blended in with the old time era. I don’t know what it’s about, but old-school setting just make me feel at home. Maybe it’s because I’m tired of all the weird drama that happens on TV (I’m looking at you, Gossip Girl!)
Like all movies-based-off-books, details were missed out on. For one thing, Bryce’s hair is black in the book. The portrayal of Bryce in the movie was blond! Granted he did look dreamy (and not in a creepy Justin Bieber lovin’ way) and I couldn’t imagine anyone else acting as him (Callan McAuliffe also stars in the upcoming film, I Am Number Four), but it was still odd in the change of hair color. Why not brown? That’s closer to black than blond is! Anyway, I don’t want to spoil the story but some conversations were missed and even though the movie had a voice over of the characters’ thoughts and feelings, they skipped some crucial words! Seriously, I thought the movie did a really great job following the book. Plus it’s a pretty short book so if you’re looking for a light read, then it’s a perfect kind of book!
I don’t know if you’re the type of person who hates movies based off books, but I don’t mind at all. There is definitely the reader’s audience you have to please, but I’m more of a movie person and as a viewer, Flipped was a great stand-alone movie. Though to be honest, I only watched it because I had heard of the book (plus it was lying in my room). I don’t regret watching the film nor buying the book. I guarantee you’ll like it, unless you hate eighth-grade romance issues portrayed in a unique and funny way. Frankly I’m tired of vampires and hard-core action stuff–I was really happy to take a break from that to experience the joy of a good book.
Flipped was simple enough to understand (no unnecessary metaphors, adjectives or words added to extend page length), interesting enough to keep watching/reading, and was a good break from all that complicated made-up fantasy world stuff. Seriously, go pick it up and read/watch it! It’s not a typical kind of story 🙂 Plus there’s a twist, and you’ll realize why the book is called Flipped.
Song of the day: Morning Theft
[youtube Zl-VisJBMas]
Oscars 2011: The Winners
Last night, the most brilliant actors, actresses, writers, and directors came out to take part of the 83rd Academy Awards. James Franco and Anne Hathaway were the hosts this year, and did a fine job. There for 24 categories, thus giving us 24 winners.
Best Picture
“The King’s Speech,” Iain Canning, Emile Sherman and Gareth Unwin, Producers
Achievement in directing
“The King’s Speech,” Tom Hooper
Actor in a Leading Role
Colin Firth in “The King’s Speech”
Actor in a Supporting Role
Christian Bale in “The Fighter”
Actress in a Leading Role
Natalie Portman in “Black Swan”
Actress in a Supporting Role
Melissa Leo in “The Fighter”
Animated Feature Film
“Toy Story 3” Lee Unkrich
Achievement in Art Direction
“Alice in Wonderland”
Achievement in Cinematography
“Inception,” Wally Pfister
Costume Design
“Alice in Wonderland,” Colleen Atwood
Documentary (Feature)
“Inside Job,” Charles Ferguson and Audrey Marrs
Documentary (Short Subject)
“Strangers No More”
Film Editing
“The Social Network”
Foreign Language Film
“In a Better World,” Denmark
Makeup
“The Wolfman,” Rick Baker and Dave Elsey
Music (Original Score)
“The Social Network,” Trent Reznor and Atticus Ross
Music (Original Song)
“We Belong Together” from “Toy Story 3,” Music and Lyric by Randy Newman
Short Film (Animated)
“The Lost Thing,” Shaun Tan and Andrew Ruhemann
Short Film (Live Action)
“God of Love,” Luke Matheny
Sound Editing
“Inception,” Richard King
Sound Mixing
“Inception,” Lora Hirschberg, Gary A. Rizzo and Ed Novick
Visual Effects
“Inception,” Paul Franklin, Chris Corbould, Andrew Lockley and Peter Bebb
Writing (Adapted Screenplay)
“The Social Network,” Screenplay by Aaron Sorkin
Writing (Original Screenplay)
“The King’s Speech,” Screenplay by David Seidler
Meiosis Square Dance
I found one really interesting video from my biology class.
Someone who is planning to or is taking Biology 30 (DNA), watch this video.
It compares square dancing to the DNA process.
[youtube eaf4j19_3Zg] [youtube D1_-mQS_FZ0]Video of The Day: Adorable Ukulele Player
[youtube ErMWX–UJZ4]
Calgary Model UN!
On Saturday and Sunday, the University of Calgary will be taken over by a yearly event – Model United Nations. This two day event – presented by the political science department of the University of Calgary- allows high school students the opportunity to simulate the workings of the United Nations.
Participants are assigned a country and a council to represent. Throughout the day, they will simulate responses to various topics in their respective councils. At the Calgary Model UN (HSMUN) there are six main councils – GA 1 DISEC/GA 2 ECOFIN/GA 3 SOCHUM/ Security Council/Human Rights Council/NATO. Councils range from the 20 member range (Security Council) to the 150-200 member range (GA 1 DISEC).
Topics this year are:
GA 1 DISEC:
- Examining Fissile Material Cut-off Treaty
- Review of the implementation of the recommendations and decisions adopted by the General Assembly at its tenth special session (Conference of Disarmament)
- The role of science and technology in the context of international security and disarmament
GA 2 ECONFIN:
- Assuring developing countries’ sovereignty over their natural resources
- Promoting sustainable development practices in transnational corporations
- Macroeconomic incentives to encourage the growth of small business
GA 3 SOCHUM:
- Providing economic and social services for victims of conflict for internally displaced persons and refugees
- Addressing the challenges of international migration and asylum
- Women’s control over economic resources and access to financial resources
Security Council:
- Women, Peace and Security
- The situation in Eritrea
Human Rights Council:
- Climate change as a human rights issue
- Human rights situation in Palestine and other occupied Arab territories
- Protecting the rights of migrant children
NATO:
- Removing American missiles from NATO member states
The 2011 University of Calgary HSMUN begins tomorrow, Feb 26, 2011 at 8 a.m. in the ICT building at the University of Calgary.
Come by and check it out!
Fitting In- A Short Story
Hannah was sure she wasn’t very welcome here the moment she walked in the door.
It was her very first day in James T. Kirk Middle School as a seventh grader. At the sound of the door, every student whipped their heads round and seemed to all stare at her disapprovingly, as if they were expecting an angel. They’re going to hate me, she thought. They already do.