Gaming Redux

In a very early post, I talked about playing online games with my nephew when he was younger. Well it looks like I'm going to have the same experience with another nephew. There are some differences though. When my older nephew and I started playing Runesape he was around nine-years-old. Brendan on the other hand is five! And even though his reading skills aren't quite up to speed, he has no problems figuring out how to play. And we aren't playing Runescape but Wizard 101 which is a much slicker game at least in terms of graphics:

Wizard101 versus Runescape

I'm enjoying playing this game with my nephew but can't wait to introduce him to Runescape when he gets a little older. It is a little more challenging and I think it is more amenable to social interaction which, in my opinion, is the major draw of all mmo games. But until that time you can find us in Wizard 101 - just look for Thomas Duskbreaker and Mary Fairyblood!

OWS and other things

Okay I'm going to voice my opinion on the #OWS. When I first heard that there were going to be  Canadian versions I was concerned.

Why?

Number one is that there isn't the same discrepency in wages as there is the US. Check out the Gini coeficcient. Won't go into stats but the US is dark purple and Canada is lime green.

Second, we did not bail out big banks because we have regulation.

Third we have universal healthcare - unless you have lived outside the country, you don't understand what an advantage this is.

Fouth, when I first moved to the US (outside a large city) I was shocked by the economic (racial) disparity.

I definitely support any groups' right to express themselves but I think the Canadian version of OWS needs to define their grievances explicitly in order gain any traction with the Canadian populace.

European Debt Crisis Becoming Surreal

Things seem to be reaching an inflection point in the ongoing European debt crisis. Zero Hedge earlier today linked to this purported page from a trader's diary:

Dear Diary:

• 7.00 – 8.00 Mkt rallies on Chinese Buying Italian Bonds – But they weren't!
• 8.00 – 9.00 Mkt Crashes as Greek Electricity/Tax Office Strikes & therefore default looms.
• 9.00 – 11.00 Mkt moves sideways to down as BNP in WSJ says that nobody will lend them $’s and nobody likes them. – But then they deny it!
• 11.30 – 12.30 Mkt rallies like crazy because Sarko; Merkel to make an announcement – except nobody knows what that the annoucment is for.
• 12.40 – 12.50 Mkt Crashes because they’re not going to make announcement
• 12.56 Figure out how to explain to a child that ‘yes dear, there’s a lot of clever people who think very hard; make very bright decisions in the stock market business!

Since then even more rumours have begun circulating namely that Brazil will join the bailout party! The UK's telegraph is running a live thread on the debt crisis so we can all stay up-to-date on the latest rumours and retractions which seem to be coming fast and furious.

Up North again and good memories

I recently returned from a trip up North with family. The drive back was hell - traffic accident on the 401!

But really had a great time. Love that my youngest sister tp'd my bike. Proud of myself for going out tubing and holding on for more than 10 seconds. Edit - a few minutes - it was tough!


Best memory however was one night when storms were rolling in. My four-year-old nephew is growing beyond the cuddly stage but every once in a while .... He snuggled in my arms that night and we picked out pictures in the sky - really priceless.

Dow down 500 points?

I have been waiting for a market correction like this for a few years. Why? The global economic problems have not been addressed just swept under the rug where they are starting to fester. Deer in headlights indeed.