Pandora.com

Thanks to my friend oorgo I have discovered a new personalized internet radio service called Pandora.

It is a creation of the Music Genome Project, a project to analyze the "genes" of the world's music:

"Over the past 6 years, we've carefully listened to the songs of over 10,000 different artists - ranging from popular to obscure - and analyzed the musical qualities of each song one attribute at a time. This work continues each and every day as we endeavor to include all the great new stuff coming out of studios, clubs and garages around the world."

As a way of helping us find music we might like - they created the Pandora Radio system. I think you'll like it. Give it a try.

Stampeding with Alexander

Last Thursday, Alexander and I spent the day together, washing the car, playing with the cat, and wearing out our feet a the Calgary Stampede. We both had a great time. Read on for more:

I picked Alexander up at 8:30 in the morning, and we made our first stop at a wand wash car wash, where Alexander washed the car - although I did have to help him hold the pressure wand, or it might have knocked him over!

After that, we headed to my place so he could see Skitz, I could find my hat, and we could pick up sun block. Skitz was very happy to see Alexander, as always.

We then walked to the LRT and took the train to the Stampede grounds. I piggy-backed Alexander for about 6 of the 8 blocks to the train station. We arrived at the grounds at 11:30, and headed to the Kid Midway. We tickets and jumped on some rides, wandering from ride to ride while Alexander decided which would be best. At about 1:15, we decided to see what else was about (with a promise to Alexander that we'd come back to the rides again), and headed out.

We found the Canadian Forces display, which included a Leopard C2 tank, an LAV III armoured personnel carrier, a G Wagon Light Utility Vehicle, a CF-18 Hornet fighter jet, and a CH-146 Griffon helicopter. Alexander thought they were all pretty cool, but really wanted to see the helicopter. I got some great shots of him at the controls of the copter, as he chatted with the pilot. She was very pleasant and answered all of his questions.

We then headed into the Roundup Centre, and watched the SuperDogs perform to a very enthusiastic crowd. The dogs were amazing! Alexander loved it, and I'm surprised he could talk afterwards, he cheered so loudly - something that was encouraged by the host.

We then headed back to the Kids Midway, I bought more tickets, and we went on more rides - but this time, Alexander found a ride buddy, Kyla. She was sitting beside Alexander on one of the rides, and they talked and had a great time, and decided they should go on other rides together, which they did, and had a wonderful time! And then, it was 4:30! and time to go home. By the time we took the LRT and walked (with Alexander on my back again) back to my car, it was 5:25, so I drove him home, and he apparently slept very very well that night. I did, too...