Happy Christmas

Our little keeshond... Nacho

I've posted about Nacho before... he's quite the little wonder dog.

At least he often makes us wonder why he is the way he is. Generally we chalk things up to the first two years of his life prior to him being a part of our little family.

Anyways... I thought I'd provide you with some links to his Twitter account and also his Nacho Video Diaries (NVDs), so that you can keep up to date with his day-to-day antics:

Twitter :: @nachoking

Nacho Video Diaries :: on YouTube or Vimeo

Enjoy the Nacho!!! ;)

Dogs + Treats + Slow Motion Camera...

This Pedigree commercial is so fantastic... makes me want to give Nacho (on Twitter @nachoking) a treat, bust out a fan, and get a slow-motion camera capable of 1000 frames per second.

We Are More!

We Are More

by Shane Koyczan

When defining Canada

you might list some statistics

you might mention our tallest building

or biggest lake

you might shake a tree in the fall

and call a red leaf Canada

you might rattle off some celebrities

might mention Buffy Sainte-Marie

might even mention the fact that we've got a few

Barenaked Ladies

or that we made these crazy things

like zippers

electric cars

and washing machines

when defining Canada

it seems the world's anthem has been

"been there done that"

and maybe that's where we used to be at

it's true

we've done and we've been

we've seen

all the great themes get swallowed up by the machine

and turned into theme parks

but when defining Canada

don't forget to mention that we have set sparks

we are not just fishing stories

about the one that got away

we do more than sit around and say "eh?"

and yes

we are the home of the Rocket and the Great One

who inspired little number nines

and little number ninety-nines

but we're more than just hockey and fishing lines

off of the rocky coast of the Maritimes

and some say what defines us

is something as simple as please and thank you

and as for you're welcome

well we say that too

but we are more

than genteel or civilized

we are an idea in the process

of being realized

we are young

we are cultures strung together

then woven into a tapestry

and the design

is what makes us more

than the sum total of our history

we are an experiment going right for a change

with influences that range from a to zed

and yes we say zed instead of zee

we are the colours of Chinatown and the coffee of Little Italy

we dream so big that there are those

who would call our ambition an industry

because we are more than sticky maple syrup and clean snow

we do more than grow wheat and brew beer

we are vineyards of good year after good year

we reforest what we clear

because we believe in generations beyond our own

knowing now that so many of us

have grown past what used to be

we can stand here today

filled with all the hope people have

when they say things like "someday"

someday we'll be great

someday we'll be this

or that

someday we'll be at a point

when someday was yesterday

and all of our aspirations will pay the way

for those who on that day

look towards tomorrow

and still they say someday

we will reach the goals we set

and we will get interest on our inspiration

because we are more than a nation of whale watchers and lumberjacks

more than backpacks and hiking trails

we are hammers and nails building bridges

towards those who are willing to walk across

we are the lost-and-found for all those who might find themselves at a loss

we are not the see-through gloss or glamour

of those who clamour for the failings of others

we are fathers brothers sisters and mothers

uncles and nephews aunts and nieces

we are cousins

we are found missing puzzle pieces

we are families with room at the table for newcomers

we are more than summers and winters

more than on and off seasons

we are the reasons people have for wanting to stay

because we are more than what we say or do

we live to get past what we go through

and learn who we are

we are students

students who study the studiousness of studying

so we know what as well as why

we don't have all the answers

but we try

and the effort is what makes us more

we don't all know what it is in life we're looking for

so keep exploring

go far and wide

or go inside but go deep

go deep

as if James Cameron was filming a sequel to The Abyss

and suddenly there was this location scout

trying to figure some way out

to get inside you

because you've been through hell and high water

and you went deep

keep exploring

because we are more

than a laundry list of things to do and places to see

we are more than hills to ski

or countryside ponds to skate

we are the abandoned hesitation of all those who can't wait

we are first-rate greasy-spoon diners and healthy-living cafes

a country that is all the ways you choose to live

a land that can give you variety

because we are choices

we are millions upon millions of voices shouting

"keep exploring... we are more"

we are the surprise the world has in store for you

it's true

Canada is the "what" in "what's new?"

so don't say "been there done that"

unless you've sat on the sidewalk

while chalk artists draw still lifes

on the concrete of a kid in the street

beatboxing to Neil Young for fun

don't say you've been there done that

unless you've been here doing it

let this country be your first-aid kit

for all the times you get sick of the same old same old

let us be the story told to your friends

and when that story ends

leave chapters for the next time you'll come back

next time pack for all the things

you didn't pack for the first time

but don't let your luggage define your travels

each life unravels differently

and experiences are what make up

the colours of our tapestry

we are the true north

strong and free

and what's more

is that we didn't just say it

we made it be.

-Shane Koyczan

The BIG red button...

Ever seen the BIG red button at gas stations? Ever wondered what would happen if you pressed it?!

Well here ya go...

Dumb Woman Pushes Fire Button - Watch more Funny Videos

My Top FREE iPhone Apps

So I've been iPhoning for a few months now and here are my top free iPhone apps in no particular order:

Photo by techburst.

BONUS. What's App? This was a free app until a couple of days ago, but still potentially worth the money. It's a push messenger service between iPhones that makes it very easy, and pretty, to communicate with your fellow iPhoners.

1. Around Me. Want to know more than just where the nearest coffee shop is? This app will tell you everything nearby including Apple retail stores, banks, restaurants, and much, much more.

2. Yellow Pages. That thing in the cupboard that you never use is actually quite useful in iPhone format. Easily find businesses using their name or category and location. Once you've found what your looking for with a click or two you can map their location or send the listing to a friend via email or text.

3. North Face Snow Report. The more you know. ;) So use this app to find out which of your fave's has gotten the most snow in the past 24hrs and which resorts are in the Global Top 10. Advanced features include WebCam access, Trail Maps, Tweets, and more.

4. Oakley Surf Report. Waves are fun. This will help you keep track of them.

5. Skype. The free calling you love from your computer also works from your iPhone. [Note: WiFi connection required... and certain notifications can end in-progress calls, so you may want to turn Notifications Off prior to a call.]

6. Flixster. Excellent Movie App. Tells you what's playing, where it's playing, when it's playing, etc. Also has trailers if you need a refresher on the movie. Movies coming to DVD are also provided here...

7. Kayak. Travel searching on the fly. You should also use this on your home computer when trying to find that perfect vacation for less. [If you're a Priceline fan there is a 'Negotiator' app too!]

8. Wikipedia. That oh so reliable source of information is also available on your iPhone. ;)

9. Converter. Everyone needs a good converter, pick any free one, they're all decent.

10. Words with Friends. Like Scrabble? This is a great free version that will allow you to play word games with friends, random opponents, the person next to you, etc. Look me up as 'sacrifice333'

BONUS. Dragon Dictation. This US Only iTunes Store app could be the best one on the list. It's currently FREE, but that probably won't last long, so jump on it! Dragon Dictation will allow you to dictate text messages, emails, and more with surprising accuracy. [Check this article out on how Canadians can access the US iTunes store.]

Audi R8 V10

Yes Please!!!