tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-222169142012-02-12T05:31:18.806-05:00The moonlit meanderings of Nanuk, the white bear.<p> <i>"We are here and it is now. Further than that all human knowledge is moonshine."</i>nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.comBlogger2591100tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-4104167114349565602010-10-20T12:10:00.002-04:002010-10-20T12:23:21.259-04:00

This picture, courtesy of the Université de Montréal veterinarian clinic in St-Hyacinthe, shows the snowy owl in rehab mode. Those eyes, beautiful on a computer screen, are absolutely mesmerizing in person.

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com12tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-88889500377041798882010-10-19T11:58:00.001-04:002010-10-20T12:10:36.720-04:00

So I had a dilemma. No one likes to be cruel even if it is with the best of intentions. On the other hand, how could you put an animal down which had gone through such a gruesome ordeal and seems otherwise healthy?I phoned Steven Walker who was the first on the scene at the accident to get his take on it. He too couldn't bear to have the owl euthanized if it was going to be viable, but no one

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-7301511920817573332010-10-16T14:29:00.004-04:002010-10-16T15:02:53.483-04:00

Sorry to leave you guys up in the air about the fate of the snowy owl introduced below, but I have been very busy as of late.So let me pick up where I left off.I drove to St-Hyacinthe and finally located the veterinarian centre of the Université de Montréal after a 90 minute search for its sanctuary, which was closed for the season. Upon finally arriving they took the owl and I over to a clinic

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-48261681940751685852010-10-10T21:55:00.000-04:002010-10-11T10:56:49.186-04:00

Last Tuesday a Dash 8 aircraft was on its final approach to Salluit airport. There was a flock of snowy owls just off the end of the runway, and the noise of the engines' roar caused them to fly off in different directions. Unfortunately for this young owl, it flew up directly into a prop, did two full rotations and was spit out.Air Inuit employee Steven Walker went out to clean up the mess,

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-81616953583461459732010-07-11T12:49:00.004-04:002010-07-11T13:34:37.605-04:00

Having seen that today is the new moon (supposedly the most optimal for planting root vegetables) and googling many an ancient Druidic fertility incantation I proceeded to sew the seeds of what I hope won't be my frustration. After all, I could have sown almost a month ago, so I have missed a lot of the potential growing season.My choice of seeds was limited to what I bought years ago and never

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-65776126564908856792010-07-10T12:26:00.000-04:002010-07-11T12:48:19.607-04:00

I had about 10 cubic yards of natural top soil delivered to my side yard, and set out cleaning it of rocks and gravel before transporting it by 10 gallon pail over to the tubs. Even with my best efforts, I had to spend about 20 minutes picking out smaller stones by hand for each pailful I added. This small picture gives you an idea of the stony nature of our very best topsoil.Once the three

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-82464509281336598682010-07-04T12:14:00.001-04:002010-07-11T12:26:01.794-04:00

Before I go any further, you have to understand that I am a cheap SOB. I feel if I have to invest in costly greenhouse equipment, heating, ventilation, etc. I will have only succeeded in indulging in a very expensive hobby. My guiding principle in this project (and in life) is that it is far better to beg, borrow, steal and scrounge than to put much capital into what is basically a pilot

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-52521976176498231652010-07-03T11:58:00.004-04:002010-07-11T12:13:34.269-04:00

Every spring I tell myself, Nanuk, you're going to plant some vegetable seeds this year. I actually did try planting directly into the ground in around 1998, but the soil (such as it is) is too cold to take the plants much beyond the seed leaf stage. Our soil, by the way, can support vegetation, but the species have to be adapted to growing in a very thin layer (less than an inch, usually) of

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-51596506774659329942010-06-06T17:30:00.002-04:002010-06-06T17:34:20.004-04:00

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-59087804732752428242010-06-02T20:59:00.002-04:002010-06-02T21:04:36.570-04:00

Excellent article, even if it does come from Cracked Magazine (it's still around???). For those of you who are contemplating getting a pooch, I highly recommend this:http://www.cracked.com/article_18551_6-well-intentioned-ways-youre-ruining-your-dog.html

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-178509865339412002010-05-01T09:00:00.006-04:002010-05-01T09:46:32.699-04:00

I am a great fan of trains. So much so that I have been working on a plan to travel around the world by rail at some unspecified time in the future.So you can imagine my inner turmoil when I read an article promoting the construction of a railroad throughout the 500,000 sq. kms of Nunavik, excepting Ivujivik and Salluit, which must have been very naughty to be excluded from this epic scheme.Here

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-68907161084751951132010-04-27T02:43:00.002-04:002010-04-27T02:52:02.727-04:00

I wonder how the fundies will react to this headline:Satan Goes From Hockey Purgatory To Playoff HeroA fine player, but I wasn't aware that the NHL draft extended down to the underworld.

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-34072064977442593052010-04-23T10:48:00.002-04:002010-04-23T10:53:37.515-04:00

This is pretty damn impressive - the runner should try out for the Cirque du Soleil if he doesn't make the "show".Kownacki leaps over the catcher @ Yahoo! Video

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-50768317229304098582010-02-21T13:42:00.003-05:002010-02-21T14:50:37.885-05:00

Most of us have lost animal companions. This morning was my turn.My dog moved on up to that home in the sky, where the weather is cold and crisp, but never chills you. Where there's an unlimited supply of garbage bags full of meat and bones to forage through, where the humans always smile and pat you, and where the only other dogs are female and frisky.He was parachuted into my life, literally.

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-617254328374025262010-02-16T20:23:00.004-05:002010-02-16T21:13:13.239-05:00

This has to be the most monumental FAIL of all the team uniforms at the Olympics. All the Norwegian men's curling team is missing is a fool's cap and curling shoes that "curl" up at the toes with bells on them.Now I happen to like curling, both as a participant and a spectator sport. But I know in the sports psyche's of many nations it rates right up there with two-man luge in teh ghey factor.

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-22710543682090531392010-02-03T05:39:00.004-05:002010-02-03T06:21:50.412-05:00

It's been a busy time lately, and it seems the only time I blog is when I have a bee in my bonnet. I have a killer bee of a mad on towards a company, so here goes.I do a lot of flying, but since this is exclusively within the north or to Montreal, I have only experienced the service of two airlines, First Air and Air Inuit. For those of you not familiar with the inner workings of Nunavik

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-10451776296389808942010-01-19T17:43:00.003-05:002010-01-19T18:05:35.026-05:00

Not to take anything away from this stunning 163.3 foot throw in by British phys. ed. instructor Danny Brooks, I wonder if anyone was actually monitoring whether he went over the line when he released the ball.I imagining a scene from the Big Lebowski where John Goodman's character takes extreme umbrage to a minor bowling infraction, uttering these famous words while brandishing a pistol on

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-35612388290329251312009-12-24T17:34:00.007-05:002009-12-24T19:12:05.474-05:00

The Torched Gavle Yule GoatGavle lies north of 60 degrees on the Swedish coast of the Gulf of Bothnia. I live only a degree of latitude further north, so I can well appreciate how long and dark the nights are there.Every Christmas season since 1966, the town's Southern Merchant's Association has erected a 43-foot straw-covered goat in a square in the middle of the city. The Yule Goat is a

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-33323607000845905122009-12-12T11:49:00.007-05:002009-12-12T12:19:25.051-05:00

A Bi-polar Hooker has set up shop on Nanuk's sidewalk. Oh no!A prostitute suddenly appeared in front of Nanuk's house. She is depressed that her girlfriends are working a more upscale beat than her and she needs to make serious money to pay her tuition. Who knew that studying fluid dynamics could be soooo expensive! Can you help her? Fifteen minutes ago via MyNeighbourhood. Comment • Like •

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-70003267841225033262009-12-10T20:34:00.007-05:002009-12-11T22:42:51.147-05:00

A Sad Wino has just walked into Nanuk's bar. Oh no!Nanuk was working his shift at the Bootlegger's Paradise when a Sad Wino reeled in. He was really feeling jittery since his friends just drank up his welfare cheque and he had had his last shot of malt liquor about three hours ago. He was arguing with a wall in a language that sounds like Welsh. Can you buy him a drink?Two hours ago via

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-24021248104958549582009-12-04T04:07:00.003-05:002009-12-04T04:31:43.005-05:00

I have been feeling very uninspired as of late and have found it difficult to come up with a post theme. This device, however, is so ludicrously bizarre that it has encouraged me to dust of my keyboard.It appears that, during the 17th century, attempts were made to revive victims of drowning by sticking a hose into their rear end and blowing tobacco smoke into their rectums. Faith in this

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-27214101675506930432009-11-17T08:37:00.001-05:002009-11-17T08:39:32.355-05:00

Meep.

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-2226726445986485222009-11-13T06:31:00.004-05:002009-11-13T06:46:59.781-05:00

This picture from the Time Magazine website shows a bra that doubles as a gas mask. And I use the word "doubles" advisedly.Not being overly creative, my mind is pondering just how the inventor of this hazmat protective device made the leap from the concept "mammary support garment" to the thought "poison gas attack". Perhaps his lady friend had too much beer and pickled eggs one night.I guess I

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-86492344367892075402009-11-11T07:16:00.002-05:002009-11-11T07:24:16.221-05:00

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-81586575435137483292009-11-09T15:41:00.005-05:002009-11-09T17:06:08.911-05:00

Time for me to enter the skirmish on the long gun registry issue.I register for a lot of things. My car is registered, my retirement savings plan is registered, I registered this year at university, my dogs are registered, I register every time I go into a health care institution, I am on my municipal, provincial and federal electoral lists, I am a registered user on countless Internet sites,

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-77245539118143349512009-11-02T08:11:00.003-05:002009-11-02T08:25:42.666-05:00

My post of yesterday led me to research the term circadian rhythm, and I chanced to come upon the graphic above. I thought "Cool. Let's see how I stack up against the average man when comparing the timings and sequences of my physical inner goings-on". So, here goes.00:00 - Blood pressure skyrockets as I realize I will get no sleep once again this night because of the snowmobiles and ATVs

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-16678648975270371402009-11-01T07:48:00.003-05:002009-11-01T08:09:32.425-05:00

Welcome back to standard time. As I grow older it is quickly dawning on me that I am getting increasingly obsessive-compulsive, and it has always irked me that during daylight savings time high noon in Salluit was somewhat closer to 1:00 PM. This has screwed with my circadian rhythms and sense of diurnal symmetry and made me a decidedly grumpy bear. During daylight savings I seem to spend all

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-82742423847808060702009-10-31T12:14:00.004-04:002009-10-31T22:12:23.485-04:00

It is municipal election time in Salluit, the time we get a (hopefully) new mayor and 6-member council to suffer under for the next three years.Now in southern climes, the indicators of a municipal election are lawn signs, pamphlets stuffed through the letter box, an occasional knock on the door from a candidate's representative or the candidate him/herself. Television interviews, radio call-in

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-53894103255604013612009-10-24T02:58:00.002-04:002009-10-24T03:03:30.536-04:00

Twenty-four, in fact. I'm glad the US judicial system is so unfettered by frivolous law suits that they have to to consider hearing this one.

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-32722260399237522032009-10-20T15:37:00.003-04:002009-10-20T16:39:19.325-04:00

Please don't get scared off by the title. I just want to ventilate about those feeble-minded Canadians who are "proud" our humble loonie is close to catching up to the almighty American greenback.Let me first say that I don't travel to the US - not because I wouldn't go there, but I just have no compelling reason right now. Also, Mrs. Nanuk would have serious difficulties in crossing the border

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-87505051386542853042009-10-08T20:27:00.010-04:002009-10-08T21:13:57.757-04:00

I am presently sojourning in Montreal while waiting for a string of medical appointments to play itself out. This has involved hopping a Dash-8, flying south for 6 plus hours, and moving into a hotel for my 5-day stay. I'd rate my current health as very good, and I have the constitution of a, well, polar bear; but there are a few recurring issues which need to be hashed out.We have all heard the

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-23362544722811897422009-10-03T17:07:00.004-04:002009-10-03T17:42:24.036-04:00

The following is my imagined transcript of a real hearing between a Federal Court judge and a petitioner.Judge: So you are seeking damages for a work-related incident?Plaintiff: Yes, sir.Judge: And this damage occured 37 years ago?Plaintiff: Yes, sir, and it causes me such pain to this very day.Judge: Why didn't you seek Workman's Compensation when it happened?Plaintiff: I was a Mountie in

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-31756951324445633682009-09-28T12:47:00.010-04:002009-09-28T18:46:55.663-04:00

Residents of Salluit had an unexpected visitor show up under tow last week. The MV Avataq, owned by Nunavut Eastern Arctic Shipping, apparently lost the power of propulsion somewhere out in Hudson Strait en route to Repulse Bay. Fortunately, there was an ocean-going tug in the general vicinity, and the MV Avataq was dragged into our sheltered bay with no smoke from her stack.Doubly fortunate,

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-81249909296156845022009-09-25T21:11:00.003-04:002009-09-26T09:25:44.661-04:00

After 22 years here in Salluit, I grown tired of constantly hitting my head against a stone wall. This self-abusive nervous tic has gotten so bad that I am now frequently dizzy, nauseated and seeing double.I have long despaired of ever finding a way to treat my condition before irreparable cerebral damage sets in. Little did I suspect that the cure was here all along!I think I'll dose myself

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-7057513725679376962009-09-22T19:57:00.005-04:002009-09-22T20:45:13.849-04:00

I'm calling "shenanigans" on Environment Canada.Today, September 22 2009, is the autumnal equinox - the first day of autumn. Now when I attended grade school, we were all told that equinox means "equal night", i.e. when daytime and nighttime are equal 12 hour segments everywhere in the world, a consequence of the sun passing the celestial equator on a southbound swing.But Environment Canada's

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-6394336586787402092009-09-19T03:54:00.003-04:002009-09-19T04:41:49.625-04:00

This past week Salluit's finest summarily drained 160 seized mickeys of vodka, presumably Smirnoffs, the preferred stock in trade for the town's burgeoning bootleggers. Purchased in Montreal for under $12, its street value up here averages $15o, and has gone for as high as $500 when the town's citizenery received their individual $15K "profit sharing" from the mine last year. The illicit liquor

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-63288946952384845342009-09-14T19:28:00.008-04:002009-09-14T20:23:33.816-04:00

Yesterday, I was hiking through the tundra back of the airport with my dog, Blue, pictured below. Actually, he has 52 other names, most of them hyphenated and ending with "-head", but I digress.We were witness to unusual behaviour from a raven, actions so strange as to make me feel like ascribing noble sentiments to the bird, including being a "good Samaritan".Ravens make excellent sentinels.

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-66780846976191790022009-09-12T09:53:00.005-04:002009-09-12T10:14:25.742-04:00

You’re never at a loss for shampoo when you have teenage daughters. And I have three.All around the rim of the bathtub, on the racks under the shower nozzle, in the soaptray, balanced precariously one atop the other . . . bottles of all shapes, sizes, colours and promises. One for greasy hair, another for dry hair, some with conditioner, others without. Volumizing, dandruff-destroying,

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-33616070488610662892008-03-20T01:10:00.004-04:002008-03-20T01:18:34.648-04:00

Sorry about the lack of posts, but right now I'm sort of holding down two jobs and I'm dog tired.Next comes body mods and tats, I suppose.

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com54tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-91836648264936060762008-03-06T17:29:00.006-05:002008-03-06T17:50:05.891-05:00

Ever on the lookout for more excuses on-line for procrastination under the guise of keeping the grey cells in tiptop form, I happened upon this simple, but maddening word game.The object is to determine the appropriate five-letter word (I'm really practiced at the four-letter ones). Each time you guess, you will be shown whether your word was before or after the goal word alphabetically. Simple

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com11tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-16419440259176585682008-03-04T18:36:00.003-05:002008-03-04T20:32:36.921-05:00

It's easy to make jokes about buying marshmallows or having a caribou roast. Hell, I have a lot of problems with the administration of our local co-op and the decisions they make. But when you get down to it, they are a very major employer in town (including one of my daughters), they are "owned" by the members (including me), and the larger source of consumer goods in a very isolated

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-26899845355902451612008-02-28T07:51:00.004-05:002008-02-28T08:59:30.689-05:00

I came across this tape today of a radio phone-in show with then-New York mayor Rudi Giuliani losing it on the subject of ferrets.Now I don't know what precipitated this tirade against one of God's creatures, but I think the US election would have gotten a lot more interesting if he had stayed on.

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-79759771785777579222008-02-20T18:51:00.006-05:002008-02-22T15:48:33.074-05:00

I may not be a rocket scientist, but I am certain I would be fired if I designed a satellite that had non-redundant systems or built-in kill switches. Those engineers who design a craft such as the USA 193 shot "down" a couple of nights back should be made to go up into low earth orbit with brooms and dustpans to collect any debris which is lingering too long before begin a fateful descent in

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-70428279901849455482008-02-19T08:14:00.005-05:002008-02-19T12:47:08.842-05:00

Whenever Canadians get wood, we employ a uniquely Canadian approach to conjoining which minimizes, if not completely eliminates, stripping. And if your other hand is occupied doing something else, you can do it single-handed. Sure, our approach is square, but we always get the job done, and satisfaction is guaranteed.Invented in the early 20th century, the Robertson square drive screw still

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-15275353314480565462008-02-16T09:01:00.005-05:002008-02-16T10:30:12.807-05:00

I've been basically living out of a suitcase most of the last month, but now can look forward to at least three weeks at home before having to fly out again somewhere. Having my first day off in a long time, I now have the serenity make the following observations:The caribou stew which I made a few weeks back is still entupperwared in the back of the fridge. I guess the dogs will appreciate it if

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-58451235539064605512008-01-21T21:32:00.000-05:002008-01-21T22:27:03.983-05:00

My 10-month old labrador pup has figured out a way to open two doors and let himself outdoors. Now this newfound skill would be worth applauding, except for the fact that he doesn't close the doors after himself.Saturday morning was a case in point. I came downstairs around 5:00 AM and nearly froze to the floor. He had left the doors agape and the temperature outdoors was below minus 30

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-15928306003003988732008-01-16T21:31:00.000-05:002008-01-16T21:59:43.715-05:00

It was too good to last.This winter, although colder than a gravedigger's arse, had been storm-free. But last evening the house we live in began to tremble, wisps of snow snaked down the streets, snowdrifts developed a surface coating of last year's vegetation, and I knew we were in for a good blow.Now I like a good blow same as most men, but when the temperature is already at the bottom of the

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-31082892495474133792008-01-13T11:38:00.000-05:002008-01-13T13:30:12.608-05:00

For the past month or so, I have become acutely aware of the red eye of Mars glaring at me all night long. When I leave my office at 5:00 PM I see it start to rise in the east, the brightest, ruddiest and most ominous celestial object in the sky. Its presence will pursue me all night long.We earthlings are apparently as close to Mars as we will get for another eight years, and to be honest it

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-74295357513510775732008-01-07T17:53:00.000-05:002008-01-07T18:50:20.944-05:00

I mean, I'm very proud of my name, but every once in a while I want to pimp it up a notch. I don't mean by adding a few eyebrow-raising middle names, or doing away with any trace of your original name - simply taking most of your name up to the next level.I read through a Fark link that some musician in Ohio went before a judge and had his name changed from the rather mundane Daniel Michael

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-36384680732127411392008-01-05T15:26:00.000-05:002008-01-05T15:41:14.112-05:00

I don't know about you, but I kind of feel left out after seeing all the cool people in this 1970s advertisement. The lyricist certainly deserves a golf "clap" for this effort.My apologies to those viewing this from my net, but the smaller files were pixelated beyond recognition. Footage found at archives.org

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-81870931321992990732008-01-03T13:39:00.000-05:002008-01-03T15:21:57.143-05:00

There's been no warming in our little corner of the globe recently.This has been one of the colder winters I've experienced in my 20 plus years of living up in the Arctic. The lows at night are dipping into the minus 30s, and with even a bit of a breeze the windchill plummets to near minus 50. I don't think we've been above the freezing point since way back in October. Last night was so cold I

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-24600958547312766912008-01-01T11:08:00.000-05:002008-01-01T12:46:15.755-05:00

Happy 2008 everybody!!The celebrations up here are a little subdued for me, feeling my age I guess. Generally I stayed in, cranked up the motorola and listened to the latest Bessie Smith 78 - Give me a pig foot, and a bottle of beer . . . I should have been so lucky.Last night I managed to make it to the front steps of the community centre for the stroke of midnight. As in other years, our

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-56555632238558920032007-12-29T15:35:00.001-05:002007-12-31T13:18:01.960-05:00

Cheney's Latest Technique For Winning Hearts And Minds"Waterboarding is so 2006", proclaims US veep Dick "The Love Machine" Cheney. "We simply force feed anyone we dislike terror suspects plate after plate of Bush's Beans, then lock them into the aroma chamber. I haven't had this much fun since burning ants with a magnifying glass".FEMA Rolls Out Latest Emergency TrailerAnswering critics of the

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-19255845640113756292007-12-29T09:29:00.000-05:002007-12-29T12:20:41.955-05:00

Exxon Mobile Chairman Defends BonusOilman Rex "Slappy" Tillerson defended his $3.36 M short-term incentive for 2007 before his annual shareholder's meeting. "It's a mere bauble compared to the killing we are all going to make from our long-term price manipulation strategy".It's Retro Rehab for LiLoUnimpressed with designer rehab clinics such as Promises and Wonderland Center, Lindsay Lohan

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-40388138736373147192007-12-27T20:28:00.000-05:002007-12-27T21:11:37.465-05:00

Rudy Giuliani on PatrolEver vigilant against terrorists of all stripes and colours, Republican presidential hopeful Rudy Giuliani is pictured here walking the beat late at night, making sure all liberties are kept under lock and key.Vladimir Putin Seeks Image ChangeTired of being portrayed as a power-hungry modern day Tsar, Russian Premier President Putin has decided to star in "art films". "All

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-27685150612291773092007-12-23T09:48:00.000-05:002007-12-23T11:05:47.863-05:00

Ah. I can feel the gloom lifting. Today, for the first time in six months, the days are actually getting longer albeit much colder. But I'd rather live at minus 40 in daylight than pass another day in the twilight of fall. Sure, by New Years Day we will only have gained a mere 12 minutes of daylight, but I'll take them. At least it is a step in the right direction.On another subject, and not

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-22270596087036178612007-12-19T08:25:00.000-05:002007-12-19T08:26:13.469-05:00

Eons ago, some friends and I caught Little Richard at the old York Theatre in Montreal before it met with the wrecker's ball. I can't remember much about the actual show, but I'm pretty sure he played Tutti Frutti and the rest of his standards.After the show let out, we were hanging around the front door of the theatre on Ste. Catherine Street, thinking about packing it in when a huge stretch

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-85386532543873601492007-12-17T05:05:00.000-05:002007-12-17T05:33:50.933-05:00

Sorry about the paucity of postings lately, but I have been down south in Montreal doing my annual Santa Claus run for seven hominids, two canines and a variety of traditional Christmas spirits. Do the math and you can see it has been quite a drain on my energy as well as my bank account.I did quite a lot of my shopping in advance on-line this year, and so far everything has worked out quite

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-69177460557976181992007-12-08T20:34:00.000-05:002007-12-08T20:43:49.030-05:00

I always had my suspicions about Christopher Robin.

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-9985937026838372462007-12-05T23:20:00.000-05:002007-12-06T00:04:12.988-05:00

Today hopefully marked a seminal milestone here in Nunavik, the top third of the province of Quebec. The governments of Canada, Quebec and Nunavik signed an AIP in Quebec City to give us even greater autonomy in terms of our governance. A tad less than self-government, we will acquire many of the powers to establish a pretty comprehensive administration which will direct most of the aspects of

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-37735351359089595322007-12-04T20:15:00.000-05:002007-12-04T20:55:30.663-05:00

Being south (a tad) from the Arctic Circle, my town never experiences the 24 hour night at this time of year. But ever since the summer I have been aware of a relentless slide into darkness.Today the snow-obscured disk of the sun rose after I arrived at the office and slunk away into an abyss of deep, ominous gray well before my mid-afternoon break. This descent into ever-lengthening night will

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-53293889951537137992007-12-01T08:57:00.000-05:002007-12-01T09:08:55.935-05:00

Having been ill for the latter half of the week, I have to drag myself into work all weekend long since I need to clear the decks before leaving town for the following ten days.By way of appeasement for not having posted anything of late, and possessing a still wooly head capable of being amused only by immature humour, I offer you this guide to rude street signs of the UK.Snicker away.

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com0tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-6870531257199570042007-11-27T17:55:00.000-05:002007-11-27T20:05:24.642-05:00

Here is a picture of most of Salluit taken from the vantage point of the local Nursing Station, located at the highest point of land in the town. The hills on the other side of the fjord form a narrow penis peninsula with the Hudson Strait on the other side and Baffin Island about 70 miles further on.Ice is vital to both the traditional and modern way of life here. It forms a highway to hunting

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-68389732559821447872007-11-25T20:18:00.000-05:002007-11-25T23:50:34.689-05:00

This week the ice finally closed across the bay. On Saturday we had very high on-shore winds, which pushed the thin strands of broken ice onto our side of the fjord - we all thought it would be at minimum a few more weeks before the waters solidified.Amazing, we had two subsequent days with cold temperatures (minus 10 - 15 Celsius) with little to no winds, and what for the past five months had

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-28460193708635104272007-11-22T12:13:00.000-05:002007-11-22T12:30:18.753-05:00

Time for your bootheels to be a wanderin', Mr. Dylan. With this post you finally get off my front page and into the archives where I won't be visiting you for quite some time.My apologies to those for whom visiting this site has become an acoustic assault of Subterranean Homesick Blues playing ad nauseum. It was a pretty cool concept two months ago, but its "Johnny's in the basement/Mixin' up

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-50016207875899994822007-11-20T06:26:00.000-05:002007-11-20T07:05:41.619-05:00

Out satellite earth station finally made it back up around 7:30 PM last evening, after 13.5 hours of heavy slogging to get it pointed at a new satellite and adjusted (hopefully) to work at optimum.As an avid social scientist, I availed myself of this blackout period to assess the impact of the removal albeit temporarily of a technology just so recently introduced.On the home front, I can attest

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-44184967882831781502007-11-18T16:49:00.000-05:002007-11-18T17:41:28.323-05:00

The sun is setting on the Internet up here for a while as technicians scramble to reorient all the satellite dishes to point at another bird. This will allow the network up here to basically triple the bandwidth available to the public and organizations. Right now things are so congested on the network that watching even a short YouTube video is an excruciating experience as the program buffers

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-85817692804697705082007-11-15T18:01:00.000-05:002007-11-15T18:19:58.549-05:00

Sorry about the lack of output here - I've been involved with a project which is slowly nearing completion.In the meantime, try to figure these foodstuffs out. And yes, they do look like something which would elicit a "Doggies!" from Jethro Bodine.

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-3458535363510246362007-11-04T07:21:00.000-05:002007-11-04T07:44:33.061-05:00

After having been in Montreal for a little over half a week, I am leaving in a few minutes to go north to Kuujjuaq for two days, and it just dawned on me that I have forgotten my WiMax modem back home. This being the case, I am dashing off this quick post with apologies.Lately, my mood has been creative and inventive, and I'd like to run a few ideas by you guys before rushing off to the Patent

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-66673690307758139542007-10-28T16:30:00.000-04:002007-10-28T17:04:17.287-04:00

Whenever flight crew see me walk into the cabin of a plane up here they roll their eyes. You see, I have a reputation of being a jinx. Whenever my name appears on the passenger manifest, odds are about even that the plane will have to return to base for some reason: sometimes mechanical, but usually an overshoot at my destination due to high winds, poor visibility, equipment on the runway, you

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-74320223823414198692007-10-17T21:03:00.000-04:002007-10-17T22:03:01.532-04:00

As I was walking down the strand, as is my wont after lunch before returning to the office, I chanced upon this scene. The more I looked at it, the more I became engrossed by it.The closed eyes lent a serenity to what was otherwise rather pathetic remnant of a young male walrus who has lost his head, or lost his body depending on your point of view. The address tag was a nice surreal touch,

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com13tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-51358667386381247922007-10-15T08:32:00.000-04:002007-10-15T09:00:52.977-04:00

Is there is a committee which sanctions special days of the year? I mean, who decided that today is National Grouch Day? Not that I disagree with the intention, but I don't remember being consulted, nor did I ever read about anyone else being consulted on this.If it is simply a matter of someone coming up with the idea and ipso facto it becomes, say, National Esperanto Day or National Smile

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-84266287313972577862007-10-12T08:41:00.000-04:002007-10-12T08:47:37.488-04:00

Up here in Canada, there is a perennial discussion about whether to maintain or universal-access health care, or introduce some kind of hybrid public/private system. This is always a hot-button issue, and one of the key debating points in federal and provincial elections.Personally, as long as it follows this Australian treatment protocol, I could care less.

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com2tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-81387743963656357722007-10-06T15:35:00.000-04:002007-10-06T16:43:19.633-04:00

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-46318069625579253682007-10-04T20:19:00.000-04:002007-10-04T21:10:20.827-04:00

Sad news.I know some of my readership has experienced the heartache and sorrow of learning that their beloved won't be coming home anymore; and for those of you who haven't I ask you simply to imagine the deep emotional toll it takes. I can barely craft this post through my tears.Yes, I won't be able to behold my love any more, and she is staying an ocean away. And even though she was only ten

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-71311407202735616622007-10-01T18:06:00.000-04:002007-10-01T20:04:17.947-04:00

As the days grow shorter and colder your poor humble scribe has taken a decidedly grumpy turn. And he wants you to know what's gotten up his arse the past week.The only nominee that might need explanation is the Special K "dude" - and I use that word very lightly. Here in Canada Kellogg's has chosen the most mincing, effeminate character to promote their diet-conscious cereal. The guy's so

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-69767249933026590092007-09-30T20:01:00.000-04:002007-09-30T22:06:57.469-04:00

I did some further ruminating on the high cost of living up here and how Canada's New Government® actually discourages Canadian Arctic sovereignty by making it nigh on impossible to survive financially in the north without resorting to hunting full time. But I nearly choked on my seal meat when I took a close look at the cost of shipping consumer goods via Canada Post.Air freight charges to

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-63036695584191199402007-09-26T20:39:00.000-04:002007-09-26T21:27:59.828-04:00

We've been hearing a lot of rhetoric from our Prime Minister concerning protecting Canada's interests in the far north in the Canadian arctic archipelago. He states he is worried, as are many Canadians, that larger maritime interests such as the US and Russia will ply to the open waters of the Northwest Passage with impunity once global warming has melted the sea ice and made it "navigable".His

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-87451720555192111912007-09-25T22:06:00.000-04:002007-09-25T22:34:41.961-04:00

The BBC has reported the results of a preliminary study conducted among a remote tribe in Tanzania which observed that males with low voices tend to produce more children. The researchers have yet to figure out why, speculating that females may find husky male voices more attractive than falsettos, or perhaps baritones begin their reproductive years earlier than higher-voiced males.I think

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-35467501338568339232007-09-23T10:40:00.000-04:002007-09-23T11:00:34.506-04:00

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com10tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-30810578586286054872007-09-21T19:40:00.000-04:002007-09-22T22:28:24.339-04:00

A guilty look if I ever saw one. Should we delete him for this crime?

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-73452161930295962282007-04-18T07:33:00.000-04:002007-04-18T08:09:20.945-04:00

I'm writing this sitting on a toilet in a Montreal hotel. No, not a severe case of constipa- tion, but the bathroom is the only place in this room where I can get decent wifi reception.Back home, the broadband connection is very slow - 128 kbs, which makes the downloading of large files impractical. So whenever I come to Montreal I look forward to many hours of downloading at a less frustrating

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com47tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-67737264619349498802007-04-11T06:41:00.000-04:002007-04-11T08:25:42.460-04:00

I do a little work for the regional ISP in northern Quebec, basically signing up new subscribers and occasionally doing a little monkey work at the local earth station. Since December 2005 we have had a "broadband" service via satellite. I put "broadband" into quotations since the service is not really high speed as you would find in the south: at 128 kbs watching YouTube tends to be a

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-83774701918851112302007-04-08T09:28:00.000-04:002007-04-08T10:09:01.644-04:00

Last month the BBC reported that one in ten Britons had been a victim of online fraud during the previous twelve months. Finding that percentage amazingly high, I put it down to the British being trusting folk having lots of relatives in Nigeria.However, . . .I got a call from my credit card company on Tuesday wanting to review some of my recent purchases. This happens quite frequently, since

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-90985361170435689312007-03-29T12:23:00.000-04:002007-03-29T13:00:26.158-04:00

This is your first officer speaking from the flight deck. As you may have noticed we are in a holding pattern. We have been circling around the White Bear's Blog but have not been given clearance to actually descend. Air traffic has told us that this due to an unusual weather problem affecting our destination: high pressure from the office meeting a mass of under-stimulated will power.We do

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-76920309413760166812007-03-26T04:09:00.000-04:002007-03-26T04:24:41.830-04:00

The days are getting much longer already, even though it hasn't even been a full week yet since the vernal equinox. By my reckoning, and by this handy calculator courtesy of the US Department of Commerce, we are gaining daylight at a rate of 5 or 6 minutes a day. Come May, the twilights will almost join, and it becomes hard to distinguish morning from night. At that time the weather generally

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-36430525258648504902007-03-24T10:45:00.000-04:002007-03-24T11:05:41.275-04:00

Last night, and for about the past week, I've been kept up with an insane itch from a third world-type illness. All my family have been treated, but I am told the itch can go on for days and weeks. For the first time I am putting out a public plea for shipment of a bottle of Calomine lotion rather than a bottle of Scotch.In an effort to take my mind off it so I don't rip myself to shreds, I've

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com5tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-16283719389443304972007-03-22T20:39:00.000-04:002007-03-22T21:14:14.617-04:00

Nunavik's annual Ivakkak dog team race ended today in Salluit. Already over a week late and dogged by adverse weather from the get go in Quaqtaq way back on March 6, it was decided to move the finish line to my home town and eliminate the last portion to Ivujivik.Although the weather conditions were a relatively balmy minus 17 C, the winds on the ice by the town's shore brought the windchill

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com6tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-54552281743937596102007-03-17T08:58:00.000-04:002007-03-17T10:03:05.328-04:00

After being hunkered down in Kangiqsujuaq for the better part of a week due to blizzard conditions, the remaining 15 dog teams in the Ivakkak race set out for Salluit yesterday. Rather than take the planned route on the highlands through the Raglan mine property where the winds were still howling, they let discretion be the wiser part of valour and followed the shoreline of the Hudson Strait on

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-67485861759942632562007-03-15T04:50:00.000-04:002007-03-15T05:55:59.024-04:00

When I was younger I dabbled in the ideals of communism. In particular I was taken by Marx' and Engels' dialectical analysis of the class struggle inherent in 19th century Europe, that and the fact that a certain girl I was interested in was a rabid Marxist.About that time, the legal drinking age in the province of Quebec was 20, and falling short by a good three years I was frequently turned

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-80044655301870225152007-03-14T07:00:00.000-04:002007-03-14T07:52:12.462-04:00

Sure, it is not the Alaskan Iditarod, that 1,850 km ultramarathon of dogsledding. But the Arctic portion of Quebec has been staging an annual 8-day race since 2001. Usually, the race runs through 3 or 4 Nunavik communities so that locals can cheer on the teams, and this year it will pass through my home town.Ivakkak is a much more traditional type of race than the Iditarod. No Goretex

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com3tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-14076736239509590552007-03-07T18:46:00.000-05:002007-03-07T19:12:52.351-05:00

Here I thought I was a lone voice in the wilderness, a half-crazed prophet facing the icy gales decrying the early advent of daylight saving time which is around 4 weeks early this year speciously advocated by the forces of darkness as an energy saving chronometrical shift.But now it seems my lone crusade is picking up some traction among the academic press. No less than the prestigious

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com14tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-24963677706186416882007-03-04T07:12:00.000-05:002007-03-04T08:11:46.488-05:00

It took me three days to get home from Kuujjuaq, and this time it was not the weather which did me in.Concerning the first day, I don't even want to discuss the reason I was not on board. We'll just leave it alone.The second day, Friday, after arriving at the Kuujjuaq Airport (currently under construction) a good 2.5 hours early, I was finally boarded on the Dash-8 turboprop. Looking out my

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com9tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-45336898430608432732007-02-27T08:29:00.000-05:002007-02-27T08:36:48.417-05:00

This week I am in Kuujjuaq, the teeming metropolis of Nunavik. Not only does it have three, count'em, three stores, but it has two bars as well.My posts may be a little infrequent this week as I soak up the local culture.

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-63734273281131383202007-02-24T05:53:00.000-05:002007-02-24T07:07:45.578-05:00

I am writing this while the outside is stilled entombed in late winter darkness. In about half an hour, roughly 6:30 AM, I'll be able to make out the first glimmerings of day in the somewhat lighter shade of blue edging the mountain tops to the east. By 7:00 AM it will be first light, and although the sun won't have officially risen in theory for another half hour, it'll be bright enough to

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-1172018479120430862007-02-20T19:28:00.000-05:002007-02-20T19:41:19.156-05:00

Those Australians are quick off the mark. No sooner had I called on the US Government yesterday to ban all incandescent light bulbs if they really wanted to cut down on waste energy, than I see the Aussie's reacting to my clarion call of ecological reasoning within a single day.Today (actually it was yesterday in Oz, but today here) their environment minister announced a ban on the egregiously

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com7tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-1171926888213144352007-02-19T18:05:00.000-05:002007-02-19T19:52:17.170-05:00

Rant time. And I sense a two-post rant in the offing.Last night I downloaded a few updates for my computer, one of which was a patch to ensure that the early switch to daylight saving time on March 11 won't bugger up my time-sensitive data. While watching the download progress bar nudge over millimeter by millimeter over the course of an hour, I had plenty of time to stew over this, the most

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com4tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-1171822219389763162007-02-18T12:50:00.000-05:002007-02-18T13:10:19.420-05:00

Select All, Copy, Paste. Select All, Copy, Paste. . .Sorry about not posting for the past few days, but I've been working on a family project for my sister's 50th birthday fete. And in true Nanuk style, the project I've taken on has morphed into something so large that the party has been and gone already. Funny, it didn't seem so large when I started out. Deadlines - meh!I thought, since my

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com1tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-1171461717817275112007-02-14T07:51:00.000-05:002007-02-14T15:36:06.796-05:00

On the occasion of his wife's departure.You hopped the plane early last Sunday mornAnd left me sadly alone to face this day.No choc'lates and roses and bearded seal filletJust empty bottles, barren thoughts and heart forelorn.I curse your ear! - the one whose otic afflictionHas caused your removal from our blissful concordAnd flung you south to a remote hospital wardWhere my ardent kisses are

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com8tag:blogger.com,1999:blog-22216914.post-1171328592244452122007-02-12T18:19:00.000-05:002007-02-12T20:03:12.360-05:00

Bannock is a staple of Inuit cooking (now there's an oxymoron!). Borrowed from Scots fur traders, it is an essential complement to tea and is ideal for a high-energy nibble. It tastes a bit like a scone, but with a heavy smack of lardy goodness.It is also one of the simplest of recipes, consisting of flour, baking powder, lard, water and salt.The trick is in the cooking. In northern Quebec,

nanukhttp://www.blogger.com/profile/05383141331492566646noreply@blogger.com8