Category Archives: random

The Walking Strategy

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As my friends are all too aware, I’ve adopted the “walking strategy” in my life. My rule is that, whenever in Vancouver, I must walk at least one direction to any meeting. Why?

Well here are 3 few reasons:

  • Having spent a decade away from Vancouver, I thought walking the city would help me get reacquainted with it (it has!)
  • After learning that you essentially burn as many calories walking a specific distance as running it, I thought this might enable me to maintain my love affair chocolate chip cookies and brownies
  • My job – which has me on the road a lot – has few demands of me when I’m in Vancouver, so I have the time

However, two other technologies really clinched it for me.

The first was the discovery of books on CD, or, more precisely, books on MP3. The number of lectures (such as those by Larry Lessig) and books (such as the beautifully narrated A Short History of Nearly Everything) that I’ve been able to devour through my shuffle has been astounding.

The second has been the mapping software made possible by Web 2.0 technologies. I use GMaps Pedometer to map out my routes (in part because I’m A-type) but more because, by knowing the distance I can gauge how long it will take me to walk to my destination. This ensures that I arrive (mostly) on time. Also, I can plan out the quietest routes (away from traffic) to ensure I can hear my lecture or book.

I’d also talk about the benefits of keeping one’s carbon emissions low, but with the amount of air travel I engage in, I cannot , at the moment, even begin to go down that road.

So, in short: It’s summer, and you have to try it.

All you nee is an ishuffle. Some books on MP3 and access to Gmaps.

Birthday

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So, as apparently even the Facebook corporation knows, today’s my birthday – indeed it is my Champagne Birthday (I’ve only recently heard the term, but hey, if it is in Wikipedia, it must be true!).

To reward myself for surviving this long I’ve purchased myself a Wii. Yes, with all the free time I have, I thought I’d buy a product that was bound to help me be still more productive.

I blame Beltzner for planting the seed and getting me hooked. Damn those Alpha geeks!

Sadly, I will not getting my Wii fix today as I’ll be spending the day at 30,000 feet enroute to Toronto.

I’m not holding my breath, but I’m going to ask for an upgrade. :)

Missing Boston

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Debbie C. sent me this story reminding me of my days in Boston. Debbie and I once hit a Hip concert together at a venue in Cambridge that literally catered to maybe 500 people. I’m a lucky man.

Debbie also had this great suggestion: facebook.gc.ca

I wish I’d heard it earlier. Would have been a great title for the op-ed. Definitely has a better ring (and is easier to remember) then the GEDS address:

direct.srv.gc.ca

Government services don’t have to be boring (even services directed at public servants). Sometimes we just make them that way…

1946: The year the justice system failed

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In this previous post on my grandfather, Israel Halperin, I (briefly) talked about how he was arrested, charged and unsuccessfully prosecuted by the Canadian government for violating the Secrecies Act during the Gouzenko Affair.

What I didn’t share (because it was discussed in the obituary) was how he was held without charge for weeks by the RCMP and interrogated by judges who wanted to use these interviews to build a case against him. This clear violation of Habeas Corpus – in addition to the above he was also held without charge and was denied access to a lawyer – is another cautionary about how the Canadian government has a history of placing its citizens in legal limbo.

Although the trial against him collapsed it was almost certainly a defining moment in his life, sparking his work as a human rights activist. Interestingly, thanks to my uncle and the research of Sandra Martin, I have the text of the letter my grandfather wrote (via his wife) to John Bracken, the Progressive Conservative Party leader of the time. The letter, which was read in the House of Commons in 1946, describes his illegal incarceration and pleads the opposition leader to help secure his release, or give him an opportunity to face his accusers.

For those who believe that Arar was an unfortunate blip in Canada’s history, Israel Halperin’s letter offers a powerful counterpoint.

For those uninterested in PDF’s here is the letter’s text:

Dear Mr. Bracken,

Although I am not a member of your political party, I feel sure that the matter about which I am writing to you will have your most serious consideration.

Since the 15th day of February 1946, I have been held prisoner by the RCMP at their barracks in Rockcliff, Ontario by an order signed by the Minister of Justice, the Hon. Louis St. Laurent.

It may sound fantastic but I have to tell you that no charges have been laid against me and I was given to understand that my status was simply that of ‘prisoner,’ held at the pleasure of the Minister of Justice, for an indefinite period of time and with absolutely no civil or legal rights other than those specifically granted by the Minister of Justice. I still do not know which rights, if any, the Minister of Justice is granted to me.

For the past five weeks I have been held in solitary imprisonment; denied access to legal counsel and newspapers: in short, cut off from the outside world.

I have written twice to the Minister of Justice in protest against this Bastille-like imprisonment. His replies referred to some Royal commission, but made no change in the incredible situation which I find myself. They have, in effect, merely confirm that the Minister of Justice is fully aware of the conditions of my imprisonment.

If I am accused of crime or misconduct, I deny the charge. I cannot know what accusation or slander have been presented to the public by the Department of Justice, either directly or through the mouths of others. But I have the certain knowledge that there cannot be a shred of true evidence for what is completely false.

This imprisonment is a terrible injustice to me and I charge the Minister of Justice with using his authority in a way which sets a dangerous precedent, one which should alarm every Canadian citizen.

I appeal to you to raise your voice on this matter and I beg you to read this letter in the House.

If you are interested in who I am, I will tell you that I am a native-born Canadian whose occupation is that a professor of mathematics in Queens University, Kingston, Ont. I come from a family whose concern for our country was sufficient to put two sons in uniform. One of them is writing this letter; the other is at the bottom of the ocean.

Since my letters are intercepted and I am never told whether they are sent on, I would be grateful if you would trouble to acknowledge this letter, if you receive it.

Yours very sincerely,

(sgd) Israel Halperin

OpenCities

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Last week I had a great time at a planning session for the upcoming Toronto OpenCities event. Interested in helping out? Check out the webpage.

During the initial discussion people shared their notions of what Open City means. During the conversation Kevin B. noted the Wikipedia definition of Open City:

“In war, in the event of the imminent capture of a city, the government/military structure of the country that controls the city will sometimes declare it an open city, thus announcing that they have abandoned all defensive efforts. The attacking armies of the opposing military will then be expected not to bomb or otherwise attack the city, but simply to march in. The concept aims at protecting the historic landmarks and civilians who dwell in the city from an unnecessary battle.”

This definition may seem so divorced from the OpenCities project so as to be unhelpful. However, I think the opposite may be true. City governments and city infrastructure (public transit, urban planning, etc…) have, for too long, treated their own citizens as enemy armies – a force to be kept at bay, to be controlled and kept out of the cities inner workings. Open Cities is about tearing down a city’s last defense – its own operating system – and opening it up to let us all contribute.

What does that mean? Whose knows. But Open Cities is about figuring it out. Hope you check it out.

[tags]OpenCities, Opensource, Toronto, Centre for Social Innovation[/tags]

Online debates

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Who knew a comment piece about Vimy and the Peace Prize would lead to a debate about whether or not Angola was Cuba’s Vietnam? Less difficult to understand (although perhaps only somewhat) is the debate about whether Pearson would be in the Conservative Party if he were alive today.

Finally, one highlight moment is when “Popeye Dillion” tries to refute my friend Robin Anawak (who unlike Popeye uses his full real name in the online discussion) by stating “Asif, you and Robin must be ‘newbies’ to this country…”

The top 10 hits of a google search of Robin’s name all refer to him. In three of these, the two sentence summary under the link indicates he is Inuit. Yes, you don’t even have to go to the webpages.

Robin is no newcomer, his family has been here longer then almost all of ours… but more importantly, why did it matter in the first place?

Another hotel, another band

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A few months ago I shared a hotel with legendary rappers Ice-Cube and Snoop-Dog. Well, my luck continues… I’ve been meaning to mention that while in Regina the other week I once again lived among the stars. This time it was Black Sabbath and Megadeth.

Yes, you read it right, Megadeth. Artistic force behind such albums as Peace Sells…But Who’s Buying? and Countdown to Extinction. Hilariously, the smell of pot pervaded my room (and the hotel generally) from the moment they checked in until the moment I checked out.

One wonders… how did megadeth get its name? I mean, back in their dad’s garage did they once have this conversation?:

Chris Poland: If we’re going to be a death metal band we need a name that means death.

Dave Mustain: “Yeah, but not just death, lots of death.”

Gar Samuelson: “Dude, lots and lots of death, totally deadlier then anything else.”

Chris Poland: “Totally, tons of death. Like Mega-Death.”

Gar Samuelson: “Wicked! Mega Death. Like how can you have more death than mega death?”

Chris Poland: “Totally.”

A legend began…[tags]megadeth, regina, [/tags]

2007 BC Biotechnology Awards

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In most families it is normally the parents who are proud of their children’s accomplishments. In my life the situation seems to be decidely reversed… which is probably for the best, as it prevents accomplishments from going to your head. The scientific community seems pretty happy with the arrangement too.

Needless to say I’m hugely proud of my parents who just recieved this notice:

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LifeSciences British Columbia announced today the recipients of the 2007 BC Biotechnology Awards.

These awards are presented annually by LifeSciences British Columbia (formerly BC Biotech) to recognize individuals and organizations that have made outstanding contributions to the development of British Columbia’s biotechnology industry, and to increase public awareness and understanding of life sciences in the province. The awards will be presented at a gala ceremony on April 18th, 2007.

For more information please click here to view the full press release.

——-

[tags]family, biotech[/tags]

on why wp-email, and its creator Lester, rock

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Emailing posts is now available on my site! Hurray!

The real hurray, however, goes to Lester “GaMerZ” Chan, creator the cool plugin (among several others) that makes this possible. It is also served as an excellent reminder of why I love the internet. Brief story:

Last week I tried to add wp-email to my wordpress blog. I successfully installed the software, but there was no link that users could click on to email a post. After troubleshooting for a few hours I decided, on a lark, to email the creator of the software.

Within no time Lester emailed me back and we began troubleshooting the problem. Actually, when I say “we”, I really mean “him.” Or, to put it another way, if my blog were a car, I essentially popped the trunk, held the flashlight and supplied the odd workman-like grunt. My hands almost definitely did not get greasy. (For those who are curious and technically inclinded, something unique about my theme was the source problem).

Needless to say, I’m very grateful for the help… it’s a level of service I’ve never recieved before on software. Frankly the whole experience has left me somewhat dizzy with excitment and gratitude. If you are looking for cool PHP plugins for your blog definitely check out his page.

Thank you Lester.

[tags]wordpress, plugins [/tags]