Online gambling doesn't make sense to me

I personally am not a fan of gambling.  Casinos seem to me high consumers of energy and valuable resources.  Their services and attractions seem to be predators on human weaknesses and addictive behaviours. 

I really don't see the attraction or benefit of online gambling and am wary of our provincial governments supporting these activities. 

Big sigh...

Forever fashion is just so relevant now

Here's a good little article I tripped upon at Yahoo Lifestyles.

Fashion goes back to the future
By Tracy Nesdoly

http://ca.lifestyle.yahoo.com/fashion-beauty/articles/archive/yahoolifestyle/yahoolifestyle-fashion_goes_back_to_the_future

I like to think I'm half-way ahead of the game with the list of suggested items :-)  although I wouldn't spend $1,500 for a trench coat. 

As for care and durability, show me something I can wash at least on the gentle cycle, tumble dry lightly then hang to dry.  Ironing?  Are you kidding?  Only on very rare, special occasions!

I agree with comments about the fashion industry, like, it's in "their best interest to change styles or even details in order to get people to buy them".  See my recent rant about python prints. 

Fair giving for healthy living

I was impressed by recent news stories about super-rich people dabbling in philanthropy.  Let us watch with interest this endeavour's progress.  Perhaps it will prolong or prevent a revolution of the classes, especially with the U.S. embroiled over the push to extend tax cuts for the rich.  Are they serious? 
 
We wouldn't want to see a Canadian billionaire's hard-earned money thrown at a cause whose organizers take a big chunk for administrative costs and CEO salaries.  Would the list of willing contributors donate to causes that have higher profiles and offer luxurious lottery gifts or consider something down-to-earth - something long-lasting?  

By no means should we guilt them into giving.  It should be done willingly.  Though instead of starting another foundation and hiring old cronies or having your name plastered on yet another Cancer research centre, how about investing in safer food, sustainable farming and clean water supplies?  How about decent shelter and safe, healthy recreation for young people?  How about affordable education and meaningful work projects?  Could this quirky approach reduce the number of illnesses and level of crime that may creep up in twenty or thirty years?  But that's not as immediate and sadly, doesn't seem as glamorous to our adolescent mentality.

On a local and personal note, I would like to see landlords resist the opportunity to raise rents above the legal guideline for the second year in a row since they managed to get approval by the provincial body involved. I shake my blonde head when I hear about rich family members competing to see who can give more to a local charity when they could consider offsetting the rent that their tenants pay. 

Let's close this rant with a link to a recent news story on a cancer death rate study.  This likely could apply to any debilitating disease - physical and mental.  If a person stresses and worries that she can barely afford to pay rent and put food on the table for her family, what are the chances that one day, she will be able to afford the medication and treatment that could prevent her early demise? What if we could reduce the chances of the illness even happening?

Food for thought.

Forward s/ash

In my many years working as an IT support person, I have encountered frequent opportunities to help users understand the difference between a forward slash "/" and a back slash "\".  By default, "slash" usually refers to the forward slash.

The best analogy I can give is that the forward slash /  is used in web site addresses i.e. http://www.deepblondethoughts.ca.  It's forward looking.  It represents progress, leaning forward in a society of left to right directional readers and writers.

The back slash \ is used in boring old Windows PC DOS path names such as c:\my documents. 

Recently I listened in horror to an advertisement on a local soft rock radio station.  The announcer incorrectly stated the company's web site address by using "http, colon, back slash, back slash, www.  - blah, blah".  

Did they NOT have someone edit their ad copy?  Do they not have someone on staff to pick up on and correct technical terminology?  Maybe they did it on purpose to get a rise out of keyboard and web purists?  Well it worked but unfortunately for them, I don't recall what the ad was about!


Moving forward...

What's with these python prints?

While passing by store windows recently, I noticed these weird, creepy designs on clothing.  It seems the newest fad for Fall fashion is python print on ladies shirts and jackets.  Euwww! 

Okay... it's one kinky thing to have reptilian prints on purses, shoes and belts but on your torso, your main body area?  Should I be content that it's only a print and not the real thing?  Should I be relieved now that the leopard skin fad is over?  

If I manage to afford a few new fall and winter outfits this year, I know what will NOT be on my list.  I would prefer to own something that will last at least three years and not be "out of fashion" the next time I sort out my closet.