Dezeen's top 10 staircases of 2014

Dezeen's top 10 staircases of 2014

I have to stop myself from becoming lost on the Dezeen website through hours of digging into links of architecture I find fascination.  Here is there top ten list of staircases they like:

Star Wars Jar Binks Fail Toys Review by Mike Mozart @JeepersMedia on YouTube - YouTube

Star Wars Jar Binks Fail Toys Review by Mike Mozart @JeepersMedia on YouTube - YouTube

If Jar Jar Binks on his own is not creepy enough, you have to see this toy that a kid is expected to sleep with and have Jar Jar wake him/her up...this is extremely disturbing:

Star Wars Jar Binks Fail Toys Review by Mike Mozart @JeepersMedia on YouTube - YouTube

Star Wars Jar Binks Fail Toys Review by Mike Mozart @JeepersMedia on YouTube - YouTube

If Jar Jar Binks on his own is not creepy enough, you have to see this toy that a kid is expected to sleep with and have Jar Jar wake him/her up...this is extremely disturbing:

I, Cringely TV 3.0 is already here - I, Cringely

I, Cringely TV 3.0 is already here - I, Cringely

This is probably the best explanation of the transition that is going on in TV today.  Well worth the read as Cringely has the chops in the tech industry to see these kind of macro trends as they really are:

 

Article: The best iPad apps of 2014

The best iPad apps of 2014
http://www.theguardian.com/technology/2014/dec/23/the-best-ipad-apps-of-2014

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Year in Photos

Year in Photos

Check this out!

Devialet’s Hi-Tech “Phantom” Implosion Stereo Sounds Better Than Speakers 20X Its Size | TechCrunch

Devialet’s Hi-Tech “Phantom” Implosion Stereo Sounds Better Than Speakers 20X Its Size | TechCrunch

This seems to defy physics...

 

Merry Christmas from the Schiedel-Foucher Family

May the good times and treasures of the present  become the golden memories of tomorrow.  Wishing you lots of love, joy and happiness. Merry Christmas! Love to All, The Schiedel-Foucher Family Michael, Trish, Amara and India

The beginning of the end of Facebook’s traffic engine � Nieman Journalism Lab

The beginning of the end of Facebook’s traffic engine � Nieman Journalism Lab

Short, concise and blistering....

What Happened When Marissa Mayer Tried to Be Steve Jobs nytimes.com  •  Eric Jackson was sitting in his hotel room on Sea Island, Ga., watching his kids splash around in the pool, when he clicked "publish" on his latest blog post for Forbes.com. Jackson, an influential hedge-fund manager, had become f...

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This would be great for my spin class. Great mashup! soundcloud.com/affine/alan-rip...

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The Maneater Manifesto — Cuepoint — Medium

The Maneater Manifesto — Cuepoint — Medium

Wow did I learn alot about Hall & Oates.  Like many others I belittled them in the 80's but secretly hummed their tunes in solitude.  This really woke me up.

19 Family Photos Gone Wrong … Very Wrong — Medium

19 Family Photos Gone Wrong … Very Wrong — Medium

I laughed out loud several times after looking at this....

This Guy Took 4 Leafblowers And A Skateboard Deck And Turned Them Into A Wonderfully Goofy Hoverboard | TechCrunch

http://techcrunch.com/2014/12/12/this-guy-took-4-leafblowers-and-a-skateboard-deck-and-turned-them-into-a-wonderfully-goofy-hoverboard/

Article: Shonda Rhimes Delivered The Most Inspiring, Badass Speech Today

Shonda Rhimes Delivered The Most Inspiring, Badass Speech Today
http://www.buzzfeed.com/kateaurthur/shonda-rhimes-delivered-the-most-inspiring-badass-speech-tod

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Article: Scientists Are Beaming Over Quantum Teleportation Record

Scientists Are Beaming Over Quantum Teleportation Record
http://www.nbcnews.com/science/weird-science/scientists-are-beaming-over-quantum-teleportation-record-n264726?cid=sm_twitter_feed_science

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Article: 20 Most Overlooked Movies of 2014: 'Snowpiercer,' 'Begin Again,' 'The Immigrant,' and More

20 Most Overlooked Movies of 2014: 'Snowpiercer,' 'Begin Again,' 'The Immigrant,' and More
http://www.thedailybeast.com/galleries/2014/12/08/20-most-overlooked-movies-of-2014-snowpiercer-begin-again-the-immigrant-and-more.html

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Article: The 20 Cutest Holiday Family Photos Ever

The 20 Cutest Holiday Family Photos Ever
http://www.brit.co/holiday-family-baby-photos/

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Article: Why You Should Skip That Extended Warranty

Why You Should Skip That Extended Warranty
http://time.com/money/3614343/extended-warranty/

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Article: Google's internet balloons are staying aloft longer than anyone expected

Google's internet balloons are staying aloft longer than anyone expected
http://www.theverge.com/2014/12/4/7333427/google-internet-balloons-project-loon-long-lasting-durability-100-days

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Article: Boom for Mac is a beautiful equalizer that legitimately improves your sound

Boom for Mac is a beautiful equalizer that legitimately improves your sound
http://thenextweb.com/apps/2014/12/04/boom-mac-beautiful-equalizer-mac-legitimately-improves-sound/

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Article: Magnificent Outdoor Cathedral Formed from Living Trees

Magnificent Outdoor Cathedral Formed from Living Trees
http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/giuliano-mauri-tree-cathedral-cattedrale-vegetale

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Masquerade Snow Ball

▶ Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens Official Teaser Trailer #1 (2015) - J.J. Abrams Movie HD - YouTube

▶ Star Wars: Episode VII - The Force Awakens Official Teaser Trailer #1 (2015) - J.J. Abrams Movie HD - YouTube:

The first one is out.  I have high hopes for JJ Abrams.....

'Pitch Perfect 2' Trailer - YouTube

'Pitch Perfect 2' Trailer - YouTube

The first movie was a very fun sleeper hit.  It appears that they may have been able to recreate the magic with this one....

Article: Nine Modernist Gingerbread Masterpieces

Nine Modernist Gingerbread Masterpieces
http://architizer.com/blog/gingerbread-architecture/

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Quantum of the Seas is the cruise ship of tomorrow | The Verge

Quantum of the Seas is the cruise ship of tomorrow | The Verge

Okay I am not a cruise ship person but this might just make me change my mind.  You have to see the robotic bar and windowless rooms with an 80 inch screen that pretends it is a window...unbelievable!

Article: Kelly: Sid the Kid saved hockey, and he’s as inscrutable as ever

Kelly: Sid the Kid saved hockey, and he's as inscrutable as ever
http://www.theglobeandmail.com/sports/hockey/kelly-sid-the-kid-saved-hockey-and-hes-as-inscrutable-as-ever/article21603673/

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Article: Apollo 11 Plus 45: How Neil Armstrong Saved the Day on the Moon

Apollo 11 Plus 45: How Neil Armstrong Saved the Day on the Moon
http://www.nbcnews.com/science/space/apollo-11-plus-45-how-neil-armstrong-saved-day-moon-n160386

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Victoria Votes on the App Store on iTunes

Victoria Votes on the App Store on iTunes

If you are like me, you haven't had the time to figure out or research what all the candidates stand for in our municipal election.  I came across this app put out by the city of Victoria which is pretty basic but at least gives you the background on each candidate.  It is extremely handy to have this on your phone when you head to the voting booth!

Current for Mac

Current for Mac

For my Mac using friends and family, who are also Facebook addicts, this is the application for you!!

Juan Cole: Ferguson & Israel? Netanyahu Calls for Stripping Palestinian-Israelis of Citizenship Amid Protests - Juan Cole - Truthdig

Juan Cole: Ferguson & Israel? Netanyahu Calls for Stripping Palestinian-Israelis of Citizenship Amid Protests - Juan Cole - Truthdig:

Netanyahu began his political career as a far-right Likud politician calling for the forced deportation of the 20% of the Israeli population that is of Palestinian heritage.

I, Cringely Apple proves that moats are for dummies - I, Cringely

I, Cringely Apple proves that moats are for dummies - I, Cringely:

It’s easy to criticize Apple on moats because from the outside looking in it appears that Apple had the lead in PCs and lost it, had the lead in laser printers and lost it, had the lead in graphical workstations and lost it, had the lead in music players and saw it erode, had the lead in smart phones and lost it, had the lead in tablets and saw it erode, had the lead in video and music downloads and saw those erode, too. Apple appears to invent businesses then either lose them or watch them fade away. No moats.

Crumbles

Crumbles

This is the most fun you will have today.  Type in the words (somewhat limited dictionary) and then a video mashup will be made on the spot by Homer Simpson.  This is quite the time sink...you have been warned!

Check Out This Amazing Transparent Car | TechCrunch

Check Out This Amazing Transparent Car | TechCrunch:

The car uses projectors, cameras, and special mirrors to reflect what’s outside the car onto the surfaces inside. The resulting images allow you to see what’s going on all around the vehicle, even behind you and in blind spots.

Frick and Shields inducted into Canada’s Sport Hall of Fame | Coaching Association of Canada

Kathy Shields inducted into Canada’s Sport Hall of Fame | Coaching Association of Canada

I had the incredible good fortune to work with Kathy Shields as an Assistant Coach for two years in the 90's.  Non one is more deserved of this honour than Kathy...she was and is an incredibly mentor and role model.  Congratulations Kathy!!

'Party of One': An Indictment of Stephen Harper | The Tyee

'Party of One': An Indictment of Stephen Harper | The Tyee:

Having been in power since 2006, Stephen Harper has presided over this deliberate erosion of democracy. He has also been an active and corrosive agent of that erosion. He has never come close to an outright majority, meaning that most Canadians still don't buy his social vision. But he has held on to his core while keeping his opponents either divided or apathetic.

Four Prime Questions about Harper's Response to Ottawa Shooting | The Tyee

Four Prime Questions about Harper's Response to Ottawa Shooting | The Tyee:

We know -- and indeed could predict one second after the shooting -- that Stephen Harper would use it as an excuse to expand the security and surveillance state he has been constructing.

Building A Better Version Of Capitalism Is A Massive Startup Opportunity | TechCrunch

Building A Better Version Of Capitalism Is A Massive Startup Opportunity | TechCrunch:

Greek philosopher Epicurus said that the recipe for human happiness amounted to an individual being able to gain three core things: community/friendship, the chance to be independent, and the chance to think continuously about an inner life in order to reduce personal anxiety.

7 facts Stephen Harper doesn't want you to know about his family tax plan | Press Progress

7 facts Stephen Harper doesn't want you to know about his family tax plan | Press Progress

Harper is at it again. Be aware and don't be blinded when the misleading ads start coming out.  Be armed and read the truth.  #WakeUpCanada

The company that designs Ferraris just built an $11,000 bicycle | The Verge

The company that designs Ferraris just built an $11,000 bicycle | The Verge

Time for Kevin Ford to trade in the Vanagon for this beauty.......

Article: Amazing Facial Hair Designs from the 2014 World Beard and Moustache Championships

Amazing Facial Hair Designs from the 2014 World Beard and Moustache Championships
http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/greg-anderson-2014-world-beard-and-moustache-championships

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Tim Cook: "I'm Proud to be Gay" - Businessweek

Tim Cook: "I'm Proud to be Gay" - Businessweek

Tim Cook at his finest.

 

The Difference 30 Years Makes: iMac with Retina 5K display vs. the Original Apple Macintosh • Things of Interest

The Difference 30 Years Makes: iMac with Retina 5K display vs. the Original Apple Macintosh • Things of Interest

80 of the original Macintosh displays fit within a single Retina 5K display1.

The Enemy Is Neglect of Mental Illness | The Tyee

The Enemy Is Neglect of Mental Illness | The Tyee:

Whether we want to admit it or not, the externalized costs of ignoring addiction, mental health and poverty in Canada will be borne by someone. Increasingly the professionals on the front lines of this battle are not trained psychologists or social workers but police, prison guards and physicians. Last week the gifted young soldier Cpl. Nathan Cirillo tragically lost his life to someone who was mentally ill.

Picture: A gorgeous photo of the changing fall colors in #Zion #NationalPark (#Utah). Kevin Roland captured this shot at one of @zionnps park's most popular areas -- the Narrows, a gorge with wall a thousand feet tall. Photo from . @ Zion National Park

A gorgeous photo of the changing fall colors in #Zion #NationalPark (#Utah). Kevin Roland captured this shot at one of @zionnps park's most popular areas -- the Narrows, a gorge with wall a thousand feet tall. Photo from . @ Zion National Park
http://instagram.com/p/unoIWZgu0W/

Article: Gigantic Man Erupts from the Earth in this Spectacular Outdoor Sculpture

Gigantic Man Erupts from the Earth in this Spectacular Outdoor Sculpture

Amazing art!

http://www.mymodernmet.com/profiles/blogs/ervin-loranth-herve-feltepve

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Article: Halloween 2014: The best pumpkins and costumes of the spooky season

Halloween 2014: The best pumpkins and costumes of the spooky season

There are some I interesting photos in this article 

http://www.telegraph.co.uk/news/picturegalleries/howaboutthat/11186712/Halloween-2014-The-best-pumpkins-and-costumes-of-the-spooky-season.html

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Article: The Princess Diaries House Is For Sale

The Princess Diaries House Is For Sale

My girls loved this movie.

http://www.housebeautiful.com/shopping/decorating-trends/princess-diaries-firehouse-elledecor?spr_id=1451_101211296&src=spr_TWITTER

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Marc Andreessen on Why Optimism Is Safest Bet -- NYMag

Marc Andreessen on Why Optimism Is Safest Bet -- NYMag

The great prognosticator reveals he is a closet libertarian and doesn't believe the middle class is getting squeezed.

Clive Wilkinson creates 330-metre "super-table" for New York office

Clive Wilkinson creates 330-metre "super-table" for New York office:

"Megalomaniacal ambition" inspired the design for this huge, glossy table by Clive Wilkinson Architects, which rises and falls in a loop around a New York office, framing wood-lined nooks and corridors beneath its surface ( slideshow).

 

Lockheed Martin: Compact Fusion Research & Development - YouTube

Lockheed Martin: Compact Fusion Research & Development - YouTube

God I so want this to be true.......

Li Xiaodong wins inaugural Moriyama Prize for "modest" Liyuan Library

Li Xiaodong wins inaugural Moriyama Prize for "modest" Liyuan Library:

"The Moriyama RAIC International Prize is awarded to a building that is judged to be transformative, inspired as well as inspiring, and emblematic of the human values of respect and inclusiveness,"

What’s Next for Netflix?

What’s Next for Netflix?:

"Netflix has real advantages—the sophistication of its streaming technology, the trove of data it’s amassed on viewing habits—but competition will make it hard to boost profits. HBO is making noises about a stand-alone streaming service, and Amazon’s service comes free with Prime, so it’s unlikely that Netflix will risk raising prices anytime soon."

This Is Not A Startup Story | Fast Company | Business Innovation

This Is Not A Startup Story | Fast Company | Business Innovation:

"As I write this, we’re debating whether to radically change what we do in ways we think will help us survive, or cut our losses and accept that the project might have hit its natural expiration date."

Trip to Vancouver – Google

Trip to Vancouver – Google



We had an incredible time at the Vancouver Aquarium and at the Richmond Oval! #VancouverAquarium #RichmondOval

Canadian Pastafarian In Year-Long Fight To Wear Colander In License Pic | TechCrunch

Canadian Pastafarian In Year-Long Fight To Wear Colander In License Pic | TechCrunch:

Everyone has a right to wear whatever they want on their head in accordance to their private beliefs and the case of Obi Canuel vs. the Insurance Corp. of British Columbia (essentially the BC DMV) is no exception.

How We Sent a Man to the Moon Without E-mail and Why it Matters Today - Study Hacks - Cal Newport

How We Sent a Man to the Moon Without E-mail and Why it Matters Today - Study Hacks - Cal Newport

Louise Rose Every Sunday

If you have ever heard Louise before you know she is amazing. I don't know how we did it, but she is our Music Director now and we get to hear her every Sunday. If you want to hear amazing music come join us on Sundays, grab a cup of coffee or tea, sit back and enjoy the incredible music!

VIDEO. Imagine if the Speaker told the Prime Minister to stop talking like they do in Britain | Press Progress

VIDEO. Imagine if the Speaker told the Prime Minister to stop talking like they do in Britain | Press Progress

Platforms Triumphed While Content Wasn’t Even Looking | TechCrunch

Platforms Triumphed While Content Wasn’t Even Looking | TechCrunch

Well laid out reasoning on how platform games will and are dominating the gaming space.

This Is CG | TechCrunch

This Is CG | TechCrunch

You have to see this to believe it.

Offering A Subscription Service To Make Movies Cheaper, MoviePass Premiers $2.2 Million Financing Round | TechCrunch

Offering A Subscription Service To Make Movies Cheaper, MoviePass Premiers $2.2 Million Financing Round | TechCrunch

We need a service like this in Canada.....any takers for a new startup?

Stella Solar Powered Car - TCTV News | TechCrunch TV

Stella Solar Powered Car - TCTV News | TechCrunch TV

Worth the watch.  Although not practical to produce en masse yet, it appears that we right around the corner of it.

Simon Heijdens creates "kaleidoscope of light" at London gallery

Simon Heijdens creates "kaleidoscope of light" at London gallery:

A responsive glass facade reacts to wind passing overs its surface, scattering triangular patterns of light and shadow in this installation at Now Gallery London by Dutch designer Simon Heijdens ( movie).

AeroMobil flying car creators propose moving traffic to the skies

AeroMobil flying car creators propose moving traffic to the skies:

The creators of a flying car called AeroMobil say that transport networks are "in crisis" and suggest that a potential solution could be shifting road traffic into the skies ( movie).

Apple’s Beats Music Brand May Go Away. Apple’s Beats Music Service Is Sticking Around. | Re/code

Apple’s Beats Music Brand May Go Away. Apple’s Beats Music Service Is Sticking Around. | Re/code:

Earlier this year, Apple bought Beats Music and Beats Electronics for $3 billion. Since then, CEO Tim Cook has gone out of his way to rave about the Beats Music subscription service, which sells all-you-can-eat music for $10 a month.

So why would Apple plan to shut down Beats Music, as a TechCrunch headline reports?

Answer: It’s not.

Star Trek’s U.S.S. Enterprise to Boldly Go Back to the Workshop | Daily Planet | Air & Space Magazine

Star Trek’s U.S.S. Enterprise to Boldly Go Back to the Workshop | Daily Planet | Air & Space Magazine

Good to know my childhood memories are being preserved.

Harrison Ford storms out of 'Kimmel,' confronted by 'Star Wars' characters - CNET

Harrison Ford storms out of 'Kimmel,' confronted by 'Star Wars' characters - CNET

This is funny even if you are not a Star Wars fan.

Apple - Main Campus

Apple Main Campus

My buddy gave me a tour of the Apple Campus on Friday.  We saw Eddie Cue's Lambo in the underground parking and we are pretty sure that we saw Angela Ahrendts who is Apple's senior vice president of retail and online stores, reporting to CEO Tim Cook.

Below are a couple of pics of me in front of the sign:

 

Apple - Main Campus

Apple Main Campus

My buddy gave me a tour of the Apple Campus on Friday.  We saw Eddie Cue's Lambo in the underground parking and we are pretty sure that we saw Angela Ahrendts who is Apple's senior vice president of retail and online stores, reporting to CEO Tim Cook.

Below are a couple of pics of me in front of the sign:

 

Victoria… It’s More than That - YouTube

Victoria… It’s More than That - YouTube:

Okay...I was expecting something cheesy but this actually incredibly done.  It captures many of the coolest elements of living life in Victoria.  Well worth the watch!

Class War and the Classroom: Analysing the BC Teachers’ Strike within a Neoliberal Framework | Lions_Read_Theory

Class War and the Classroom: Analysing the BC Teachers’ Strike within a Neoliberal Framework | Lions_Read_Theory:

It is therefore the task of a neoliberal government to reconstruct the landscape for its implementation. This involves the purposeful manufacturing of a crisis by underfunding the system to its breaking point, in order to deem that system so dysfunctional that the only alternative is to replace it with a government-sponsored ‘solution’ – in this case a private, for-profit model.

Earth's address within a massive supercluster of 100,000 galaxies - CNET

Earth's address within a massive supercluster of 100,000 galaxies - CNET:

Astronomers have mapped the Milky Way's position to the outskirts of a supercluster of galaxies, newly dubbed Laniakea, meaning "Immense Heaven".

What's Jamming Teacher Bargaining? | The Tyee

What's Jamming Teacher Bargaining? | The Tyee:

The long summer stall in teacher bargaining may be due to terms the government is insisting on including in the next contract, The Tyee has learned.  I for one, for the sake of keeping class sizes low, hope the teachers hold out until the Government can be exposed for it's duplicitous dealings.

Summer Vacation 2014

We had an amazing vacation this summer!  I should have taken more photos but there is always next year!