October 30, 2009

This just in: new YouTube Video of William Shatner's "Gonzo Ballet"...

April 6, 2009

Why Fluorescent Lights Are Freaking Me Out:

So recently, at work, I've been noticing a marked increase in 'near-headaches' and eye-fatigue... You might say, "Gee Lloyd, sounds like a regular day at work for me!", and I'd probably agree if it wasn't for my sinking suspicion that it has something to do with the hundred-odd fluorescent light tubes we've got all over the store I work at. I only came to this conclusion just the other day, but after I found myself inexplicably drawn to the darker areas of the storage rooms in order to 'recharge' and refresh my mind. This sounds crazy, so I thought I'd Google fluorescent light tubes, to see what (if any) health-related articles have been written about them.

Here are my findings:

The flickering of the tubes is annoying and draining. But it's not the tubes' fault. It turns out it's what regulates power to the tubes that can alternate in voltage, and has not much to do with the tubes themselves. Regardless, the flicker happens and can lead to increased fatigue, anxiety, unexpected aggravation, 'drained' feelings, headaches, and eye irritations. I'm experiencing all of these symptoms more and more each day. Am I just over-worked? Or is there more to this flicker than meets the eye?

"Although humans cannot see fluorescent lights flicker, the sensory system in some individuals can somehow detect the flicker. Ever since fluorescent lighting was introduced in workplaces, there have been complaints about headaches, eye strain and general eye discomfort. These complaints have been associated with the light flicker from fluorescent lights. When compared to regular fluorescent lights with magnetic ballasts, the use of high frequency electronic ballasts (20,000 Hz or higher) in fluorescent lights resulted in more than a 50% drop in complaints of eye strain and headaches. There tended to be fewer complaints of headaches among workers on higher floors compared to those closer to ground level; that is, workers exposed to more natural light experienced fewer health effects. [Wilkins, A. J., Nimmo-Smith, I., Slater, A. & Bedocs, L. (1989). Fluorescent lighting, headaches and eye-strain. Lighting Research and Technology, vol. 21, 11-18]"

Now, I'm no scientist... but I don't appear to be alone in my discomfort. If only I could convince my boss that better lighting would ensure the longevity of his workers and thus, would be a worthwhile investment....

April 04, 2009

Here's something you may or may not have heard about...

ELECTRIC CARS - A REALITY!

Now, I swear this to be true: I was carrying on some kind of usual confrontation-esque debate [the way I do] nearly 2 years ago, over the feasibility of the 'electric car' - that would eliminate vast amounts of carbon being emitted into our collective air supply.

The argument against it was, typically, one of convenience. "Can you imagine how long it would take to recharge the batteries?" This was one of my opposition's presumably rhetorical questions, to which I replied: "Well, I guess you'd have to figure out a way to swap out the batteries… like, instead of going to a gas station, they switch your dead battery for a fresh one." I was rebuked by, "oh ya? Who's paying for these batteries?" To which I answered, "I dunno, maybe some company who owns them? That we rent them from? Like a cell phone provider!"

 

Well, holy crapmoelee, it's happened again. Apparently there's this company called "A Better Place," run by a guy named Shai Aggasi, who was setting this all up AS I WAS THINKING IT (I forget the word for this phenomenon - but I think it explains the development of math and gunpowder somehow as well).

 

Anyway, as this is the "NEWS" page, I thought I'd tip you off to this fantastic development. You may or may not have caught Mr. Aggasi's appearance on CBC Television's "The Hour" with host George Stroumboulopoulos a month or two ago... 

If not, the link to The Hour's interview: IS HERE.

 

HERE IS A YOUTUBE VIDEO I FOUND ABOUT IT - ENJOY!


Sounds great, doesn't it?!!!

Mar. 08. 09

Sasha and I went to see The Watchmen movie last night and... crap. What crap!
It was the most beautiful waste of time I've ever experienced.
Now folks, I rarely voluntarily go to movies that are bad... but this one just kept on sucking.
I don't know if it was the unsuitable soundtrack of late 60s/early70s hits, the horrible acting of the 'bad' good guy, or the 20ft tall glowing blue penis that swung as the guy walked around, slaughtering Vietnamese peasants.

Offensive? Yes. Enlightening, no.

I felt, at some points, that it was merely satire... but it turned out to be a parallel universe... and then turned out to be a parody of that parallel universe... and then... I stopped caring and felt trapped in the theatre, forced to witness the fantastic shit show that is this movie.

Avoid the Watchmen. You will leave angry, confused, or fall asleep in your chair. It is a slow, overly complex, obscure film - with uneven acting and so much bad cheese -- it stinks!!

If you have 10 bucks to blow, go see it so we may begin commiserating. Boooooo!

Feb. 16 2008
Did I forget to mention I am empLloyd again?! Hooray!
It's like going to the gym for 8 hours... but THEY pay ME!

Feb. 14 2008
BUY CHOCOLATE AND CARDS OR SOCIETY WILL SHUN YOU AND YOU WON'T GET LAID DAY!

Feb. 12 2008
Hooray for Obama!
Here are some conspiracy theories for you to chew on...

Ya know how "that day" in 2001 that started Bush down the old terror trail?
Well, that clearly failed... terror justified nothing.
But what can be said about that plane that crash-landed in the Hudson river recently?
Notice how everyone survived? No 'attack' was made on any important buildings?
Interesting how Obama's all about "Hope," and the Hudson thing inspired heroism...
While Bush was all about "Terror," and ....
Well... anyway... interesting stuff.



Nov. 24. 08

Since I've been in Costa Rica, I've seen Tucans, Sloths, Blue Morphos Butterflies, Coati(s), Iguanas and lizzards, a tarantula hanging over my pillow (!), and, worst of all, I nearly stepped on a Fer-de-Lance snake - often known as Costa Rica's most feared poisonous snake.

I've been a "Cowboy for a Day," galloping around on the beach at Hacienda Baru and herding cattle (I'll post the YouTube links)
and for the past 24hrs I've been a "Surfer Dude" ... my board rental ends @ 2:30... when I'll just go back to being a 'regular dude.'

Nov. 12. 08

Well, it's certainly been a while!

I had been channeling my inner Hermit for the past few months up at Lac-des-seize-iles in Quebec. Best place on Earth.
At the moment, this message is coming to you live from the town of Dominical, Costa Rica!


September 21, 2008

Sad news... my grandfather, Gus (August), passed away today. He was 93 years old. It's a very sad day.

May 27, 2008
~ UNempLloyd again... always better than it seems... and all that it seems to be!
~ 3 days 'til we head Lakeward for the summer... I'll try to update once more before then, promise.
.

GOODBYE BRONSON AVE.!
(& Dog Park, & Crack House, & other freaky passers-by)
 

May 16th, 2008

Headin' up to Gus' shack for to open up and get a boat in the water... hopefully...
...and then get it started...
...and then find a place to park it in the Village....
- ah! Relax! It's the LONG WEEKEND!

March 30th, 2008

~ Woah! Didn't update this page for nearly a month! There's another reason why work sucks.

~ Gonna eat some ham tonight... oh! and ... no... that's all the news I have today. Bor-rrring!  :)

March 1st, 2008

Did NOT win Millionare Life Lottery
... go figure.

 Feb. 25. 08

~ OSCARS (Academy Awards) coverage... here

~ BEAUTIFUL WEATHER OUTSIDE
- - - If you're unemployed, go outside!!!

Jan 29, 2008
~ Minor updates...
~ Thanks for your Guestbook comments! It's great to hear from you!
~ NEW VIDEOS on the Videos & Bulletins page!
~ 300 hits! Inconceivable! Thank you!!!


Jan 22, 2008