Dangerous day in the life of a cabbie

Posted on November 29, 2010 by Byline

Fare turns out to be dangerous criminal intent on no good but cool cabbie carries the day

image - Savannah Yellow Cab (not the cab in the story)

This is a true story that happened last week. We have been asked to change the names and locations to protect the cabbie. You will understand why.

Yep.

I’m sitting in my cab at Mall around Walmart yesterday morning [Friday] about 8:15 when this guy and girl can running over to my cab with a whole cart load of stuff, 42 inch LCD TV, computer and a bunch of other stuff.

I opened the back of my cab, put everything in, then they said they wanted to go to amhurst.

They said how much and I said $80.00. They said “Lets go.” Continue reading →

Basic Income proposal could eliminate poverty for people with disabilities

Posted on November 29, 2010 by Stephen Pate

Changes to benefit system modeled on systems for seniors and Canada Child Benefit Benefit would replace welfare for working age people with severe disabilities

The Caledon Institute has presented a proposal, Caledon Basic Income Plan, to overhaul Canada’s patchwork and failing system of social supports for working age Canadians who are severely disabled and living in poverty.

The new system would prevent the abject poverty that afflicts Canadians with disabilities where a single adult in New Brunswick is subsisting on roughly $8,000 a year, which is less than half of the LICO (Low Income Cut-Off).

This poverty exists despite the billions being spent at the Federal and Provincial levels.

The proposal is comprehensive but not a system that purposes major increases in social spending.

Instead it proposes to use the existing systems, like the Income Tax Act and Canada Pension Disability Benefit, to streamline and reorganize benefits making them more effective in eliminating poverty for working age Canadians with severe disabilities. Continue reading →

The Times They Are A Changing – my favorite Dylan song from the 60s

Posted on November 28, 2010 by Stephen Pate

Only one day left to enter our contest to win free Bob Dylan CD Concert at Brandeis University

Bob Dylan singing at The White House (photo and video courtesy of The White House)

Call me crazy but I want to give away a copy of Bob Dylan CD Concert at Brandeis University. I offered it to a buddy but he said – have some fun give it away on NJN.

Send us your pick for Dylan’s best 1960s song and that’s all it takes to win. Contest ends November 30th, 2010.

So here’s the link to the contest rules – pretty simple.

Here’s the comment from Mike LaFerney of Maine on why he likes The Times They Are A Changing

“The times they are a changing” is my favorite because the lyrics: Continue reading →

Long way from red to all white

Posted on November 26, 2010 by Byline

And now we are here…long way from all red, to all white.

From Flickr

Steve Winwood Can’t Find My Way Home

Posted on November 25, 2010 by Stephen Pate

Awesome performance by legendary performer

Update -Winwood says it was live – send end of story for details Nov 25th

Steve Winwood is a singer songwriter and multi-instrumentalist. The Hammond B3 organ was Steve Winwood’s set piece instrument although as you can see here he is an accomplished guitarist as well. Winwood is a fellow band member with Eric Clapton in Blind Faith. His biggest hit was Higher Love. Continue reading →

Galiano Island Spirit Bear Babies

Posted on November 25, 2010 by Byline

Photo by KK+

For more puppy pictures, check out KK+ on Flickr

Bob Lefsetz in love with Hyundai and Pomplamoose

Posted on November 25, 2010 by Byline

Our cute and catchy couple captures heart of music’s curmudgeonly counselor and critic

Pomplamoose capture Christmas for Hyundai

By Bob Lefsetz,

Felice wants an Equus.

We’re sitting around the table at dinner, shooting the shit, and Stephen starts complaining that his Smart Car is just too anemic, he puts the pedal to the metal and nothing happens for seconds, he’s got to buy something new. Therein, the great L.A. car debate is engendered.

Felice drives a Lexus GS300. A 2002. You could drive that car forever, but she’s beginning to become annoyed by the rattles. And you can’t buy a new Lexus.

BECAUSE TOYOTA DOESN’T CARE ABOUT PEOPLE!
Continue reading →

Stay healthy while dieting

Posted on November 24, 2010 by Stephen Pate

Eating less means more attention to proper nutrition and exercise in a weight loss program

DietPower Nutrient History

In the now 5 part series on losing weight with a disability, I’ve covered why we want to lose the “30-lb-turkey” of extra weight and using software to get it off.

I was talking to my mother today on her 91st birthday (born 1919 wow!) and she weighs a slight 109 and has for decades. We should all be so lucky but many of us put the pounds on too easily. People with disabilities who are sedentary are especially susceptible to being overweight or obese.

During the past week, I’ve lost exactly nothing. But I did reduce my body fat percentage from 55% body fat to 44%. That wasn’t easy.

It’s the pre-Christmas panic with autumn yard work to finish and inside projects to get out of the way for your Christmas visit. Can’t have you seeing the power tools in the front hallway at Christmas. Continue reading →

Oracle given $1.3 billion judgment against SAP for copyright infringement

Posted on November 24, 2010 by Stephen Pate

Largest jury award ever for not purchasing licenses to Oracle software

Oracle CEO Larry Ellison jubilant over suit with SAP (photo hellocompany.org)

When SAP purchased a TomorrowNow, an Oracle support company, in 2005 it was trying to expand its business by going after Oracle accounts.

This week a jury awarded Oracle $1.3 billion against rival SAP in the largest copyright infringement case in history.

The previous record for a jury award in a copyright lawsuit was the RIAA $136 million award against Media group for unlicensed distribution of music including Elvis Presley songs.

Many companies are in the dark on licensing. Failure to acquire software licenses legally can result in punitive fines and jury awards. Microsoft routinely audits its business customers for copyright and license infringement. Continue reading →

Pomplamoose goes international with Hyundai Christmas ad

Posted on November 24, 2010 by Stephen Pate

Cute and innovative group ups the ante by getting gig for national ad campaign

Pomplamoose update Jingle Bells for Hyundai

We previously reported on the new recording/video duo Pomplamoose who were getting lots of attention and iTunes sales with their catchy tunes and innovative recording techniques.

They do all the video and musical parts themselves.

They seem to have struck it big with a fun ad for the Hyundai Elantra which started running 4 days ago. It’s cute and catches your eye and ear amid the clutter of television advertising.

Pomplamoose are a natural progression in the creation of new music and media. They don’t need a label. They don’t need a studio. The work is done in a smallish room on computers.

They also don’t perform live or tour, giving proof that in the world of social media and iTunes you can build a fan base and make money in music without resorting to touring.
Continue reading →