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Tribute to my Friends: Lisa LaForge-Rattai

Lisa LaForge-Rattai

Lisa LaForge-Rattai. Lisa was originally my brother’s wife’s friend but I basically swooped in and our connection was so intense and incredible that her and I are now BFFL (pronounced “biffle”). Lisa is one of the geekiest people I know – scratch that, she is the geekiest person I know besides myself. And this is not an insult, this is quite a compliment. Lisa’s geekiness is the number one reason why we connected so much. Originally my brother had said “Oh Lisa likes TV too like you” and I had just kind of shrugged it off, but as time went on and I discovered how many shows we loved in common (it grew from Veronica Mars), and how we are both geeky bloggers and how our idea of a perfect hang out is sitting at home and watching TV all day, our friendship swelled into what it is today. Lisa gives the greatest advice (she’s coached me through many issues whether in person, on the phone or through long emails), she introduced me to the greatest drink of all time (SoHo and Sprite), she’s a great cook and an even better friend. Did I also mention she spent an entire day doing So You Think You Can Dance Fitness DVDs with me? She can be super mature or completely ridiculous and she’s also the coolest mom out there (aside from my own mother). Her daughter Ava is precious and I am happy to be referred to as Aunt Linda. If she hadn’t gotten married young, she says she really aspired to be a journalist (what I am/in school for). She’s curious and inquisitive and a great writer so I think she could have been an incredible journalist. In fact, she’s currently incredible at being a mom and she would be incredible at anything she wants to do.

Tribute to my Friends: Pamelina Chang

So the first friend to enter this hall of fame, so to speak, is my dear friend…

Pamelina Chang

Pamelina Chang. I met Pam in the Fall of 2007. We both enrolled in the Journalism program at Grant MacEwan and she was the only other Asian girl in the class. Yes, that is what first caught my eye about Pam ;) Pamelina is one of my favourite people in the world. We became fast friends because we were both overachievers (though I proved to be way more over-achieving than her but she’s told me many times how my over-achieving annoying-ness motivated her to work harder as well). Our friendship grew from phone calls about homework to phone calls about life in general to us spending 15-20 minutes inside my car as I drove her to her downtown bus stop after class every day. She’s almost died in my car a number of times because of my excellent driving skills and was still brave (or stupid) enough to get back in the car the next day. We spent much of our time eating sushi and she didn’t think I was crazy during my Jonas Brothers obsessive phase (I am no longer in that phase). She also taught me things about religion, morals and she even spent 12:34:56 7/8/9 with me, cooking me an omelette! :) Pam moved to Victoria, B.C. over the summer to attend Royal Roads University for a communications degree and I miss her so much. She’s since been back to visit and we had sushi together and have also Skyped! Pam was a great classmate, an even better friend, and will be amazing at whatever she ends up doing, be it journalism, public relations/communications.

The Week’s News (January 26 – February 1 )

This week’s news roundup…

Tuesday, January 26, 2010:
• Northlands hired a leading U. S sports consulting firm to help come up with its own plans for a made-in-Edmonton arena plan.
• Two new aftershocks in Haiti today.
• Two men charged after leaving 45 rabbits in deplorable condition on a bus.
• The public school board is considering closing two schools in the Hardisty area and two or three schools downtown, says a report released on Monday. Schools: John A. McDougall, Norwood, Eastwood, Spruce Avenue, Parkdale, McCauley and Delton
• Jimmy Kimmel show’s 7th anniversary today.
• Alberta Education and police are investigating reports students tried selling the answers to Pure Math 30 Diploma.
• Mass Effect 2 video game by Edmonton’s BioWare company is released.

Wednesday, January 27, 2010:
• Apple unveils its latest creation, touchscreen portable computer tablet the “iPad”.
• Toyota announces recalling of 8 of its most popular vehicles due to sticking accelerators.

Thursday, January 28, 2010
• Daryl and Renee Katz donate $500,000 to Art Gallery of Alberta.
• President Barack Obama gave his State of the Union Address.

Friday, January 29, 2010:
• Peter Pocklington, former Edmonton Oilers owner involved with bankruptcy fraud, has to give up his Stanley Cup rings.

Sunday, January 31, 2010:
• $88 million newly redesigned Art Gallery of Alberta opens today.
• The 52nd Annual Grammy Awards was today.
• The Calgary Flames traded a surprised defenceman Dion Phaneuf and others to the Toronto Maple Leafs.

Monday, February 1, 2010:
• Edmonton Oilers won 4-2 against Carolina Hurricanes in today’s game ending their 13 game losing streak.
• The fight to move Lucy the elephant moved to court today.

Other news of the past week
• Rexall Place in 3rd Place for Canada’s busiest concert arena
• The fourth attack on an ETS driver in the last two months occurred this past week.
• Confucius Institute Library opened this week.
• City Council is fed up with snow removing policy.
• City Council thinks Churchill Square needs to be changed so it is busier.
• City H1N1 clinics are closing.
• Premier Ed Stelmach warns that next month’s budget will be hard on Albertans.

Big thanks to these sources for my news compilation: The Edmonton Journal, The Edmonton Sun, The Edmontonian, and MasterMaq’s Blog.

Linda

The Week’s News (January 19 – January 25)

I have to do a Current Events quiz every Tuesday for my ‘Television News’ class. It’s 5 questions and we’re asked 3 news questions, 1 entertainment and 1 sports. Instead of scrambling Monday nights to try and remember what had happened the prior week, I’m going to note some news of the day, each night, and then compile them in a blog post every week and refer back to it on Monday nights before my test.

This one might not be the greatest compilation because I definitely didn’t note these at the end of each night (I forgot!)

But from this point forward I swear I shall dutifully note the news each evening to make for a great Current Events wrap-up.

Tuesday, January 19, 2010
• A team was hired to devise plan for downtown Edmonton “Capital City Downtown Plan”
• New City Manager Simon Farbrother, the first new city manager in 10 years, who took over for Al Maurer.
• Sawmill restaurant was robbed by two men with fake machetes and fake guns.

Wednesday, January 20 2010
• Police did a traffic speeding blitz, giving out almost 900 speeding tickets.

Thursday, January 21, 2010
• Police report that in 2009, crime went down 2% in Edmonton.
• Sundance Film Festival kicked off.

Friday, January 22, 2010
• Conan O’Brien’s final show as host of The Tonight Show aired tonight. His leaving contract was $45 Million.
• Canada for Haiti telethon aired tonight (CBC news reported it raised over $16M).
• Canadian government said they will match the Canada for Haiti numbers.
• George Clooney’s Hope for Haiti telethon aired tonight.

Saturday, January 23, 2010
• Screen Actors Guild Award (SAG) aired tonight.
• Edmonton Rush (lacrosse) win their first home game 11-7.
• Memorial for 46 homeless people who died in 2009.
• Anti-Prorouguing Rally held today in Edmonton (and across Canada)

Sunday, January 24, 2010
• Oilers Skills Competition held at Rexall today, thousands of fans came out.
• Last day of Edmonton’s Minor Hockey Week.
• NFC & AFC Championships played today – The New Orleans Saints and Indianapolis Colts are going to the SuperBowl.

Monday, January 25 2010
• First day of Parliament being prorogued until March.
• Quebec Major Jr. Hockey League suspended forward Patrice Cormier for the rest of the season + playoffs for “violence” (elbowing/hitting another player on the head).
• Northlands announce they are still working/wanting to be a part of a new arena development, partnering with CSL International/Spotlight Strategies.

Other things that happened this week:
• Haitian orphans arrived in Canada.
• Oilers are last (30th) place in the NHL.

Watch, even with this I’ll still fail these dratted quizzes. /bitter.

Linda

News: 300 metres of heaven (Jan. 14 2009)

Published in the January 14, 2009 issue of The Nugget.

News

Steve Parent-Korbie

300 metres of heaven
by Linda Hoang

    When Steve Parent-Korbie was born with cerebral palsy, doctors said he only had a five per cent chance of living past the first 24 hours, and if he did, he’d either become paralyzed or mentally challenged.
    Parent-Korbie, now 36-years-old and working as a NAIT systems analyst, has not only defied those odds, but bore the Olympic flame for 300 metres this week as it came through the city on Day 76 of the Olympic Torch Relay.
    “This is something I’ve always wanted to try and do. I get to say for the rest of my life that I actually ran with the Olympic flame,” Parent-Korbie said with a bright smile.
    Though he normally uses forearm crutches, for safety reasons, Parent-Korbie carried the Olympic flame using a wheelchair.
    He had been dreaming about being a part of the Olympic Torch Relay ever since the age of 14, when he watched the 1988 relay in Calgary and one particular figure caught his eye.
    “There was a torch bearer in a wheelchair,” he said with a smile, seated in his own wheelchair. “When I got to see that, it kind of stuck in my brain.”
    “What I’ve had to go through in my life to keep my mobility and independence, I relay that to the dedication that the athletes have within their own sports,” Parent-Korbie said, explaining how he views his connection to the Olympics. “The torch bearer from before inspired me and if I inspire others, than that’s great.”
    Parent-Korbie, who says he will keep and treasure his Olympic torch forever, had been counting down the days leading up his turn to carry the flame and continues to countdown now to the start of the 2010 Winter Olympics.
    “I love everything about the Olympics,” he said. “It doesn’t matter who you are, where you come from, or your background, the world comes together during the Olympics.”
    By February 12, the Olympic flame will complete its journey, and will have traveled a total of 45,000 kilometres over 106 days from coast-to-coast-to-coast of the country.

Entertainment: $3.99 mix-tape (Jan. 14 2009)

Published in the January 14, 2009 issue of The Nugget.

Entertainment

$3.99 mix-tape
by Linda Hoang

(The Nugget has a weekly feature where a writer will choose a musical theme and list some songs that fit that theme, I did this week’s issue).

    While the playlist you are about to skim through would be more suitable for a February/Valentine’s Day mix-tape, if you’re anything like me, then anytime is a good time for a cute little love song. From subtle to super sappy, these songs are perfect for the new couple, the old couple, or if you’re in that tricky stage where you’re not quite a couple, but you’re definitely on the right path. There is also a high chance these songs will anger or annoy or even induce eye-rolling and possible gagging amongst most. Whatever the case may be for you, whenever any of these songs come on the radio or shuffle randomly onto my iTunes, it’s nearly impossible to wipe the goofy smile off my face. Enjoy!

Boys Love Girls ft. Taylor Swift – “Two is Better Than One”
Plain White Ts – “1, 2, 3, 4”
Taylor Swift – “Untouchable”
Jason Mraz ft. Colbie Caillat – “Lucky”
The Beatles – “I Want To Hold Your Hand”
Beach Boys – “Wouldn’t It Be Nice”
Usher ft. Alicia Keys – “My Boo”
KCi & Jojo – “All My Life”
Glen Hansard and Marketa Irglova – “Falling Slowly”
Owl City – “Meteor Shower”
Parachute – “She Is Love (Acoustic)”
Michael Buble – “Just Haven’t Met You Yet”
Howie Day – “Collide”
Lifehouse – “You and Me”
Jack Johnson – “Better Together”
John Michael Montgomery – “I Swear”
Richard Marx – “Right Here Waiting”

News: NAIT’s got the Recipe! (Jan. 14 2009)

Published in the January 14, 2009 issue of The Nugget.

News

NAIT’s got the recipe
by Linda Hoang

    Culinary Arts graduate Daniel Labutes has been confidently cooking and baking for years, and his culinary confidence grew even stronger when he won the Alberta Milk recipe contest just before Christmas.
    Alberta Milk and NAIT teamed up this winter to launch a milk recipe contest for Culinary Arts students.
    “The prize was $200 and a quick recipe is no problem for $200,” said 28-year-old Labutes, who has just graduated from the program. “I thought I had a good chance.”
    Students were asked to submit a simple, affordable, and nutritious recipe that could be put together in a short amount of time and featured certain food groups. Labutes created a Brazilian pie.
    “Alberta Milk felt that this [contest] would showcase the talent at NAIT and also provide some real work experience to the students,” said Alberta Milk marketing co-ordinator Melinda Falkenberg-Poetz.
    Culinary Arts students Alexei Boldireff and Joelle Sparvier were also selected along with Labutes to form the group of top three recipe winners.
    About 20 thousand recipe cards with the names and recipes of the winners, including Labutes, will be distributed at various Alberta Milk trade shows and events over the next two years.
    “It will be good for me to have to my name distributed that much,” Labutes said.
    Labutes, who has had years of experience working in various restaurants in the city, is now a teaching assistant in the Culinary Arts program.
    “Culinary is where I want my career to be,” he said. “Someday I’d like to own my own restaurant.”

Linda’s Tech Talk: Five game changers (Jan. 14 2009)

Published in the January 14, 2009 issue of The Nugget.

Linda’s Tech Talk

Five game changers
by Linda Hoang

    The technologies that emerged or were refined during the past decade have had a huge impact on our day-to-day lives. Here are five technologies of the 21st century that have changed our world.
    1. iPhone: The most revolutionary phone ever invented, the iPhone has set the standard for smartphones everywhere. The phrase “there’s an app for that” exists because of this multi-functional all-in-one computer, camera, and phone that seems to be able to do anything.
    2. TiVo (PVR): One of the very first digital video recorders (DVR), TiVo has changed the way we watch television. No longer do we need to be at home at a specific time for a specific show, with a DVR remote, we’re able to pause, rewind, and later fast-forward through any broadcast. Talk about power and control.
    3. YouTube (Social Networking): It’s hard to believe YouTube has only been around for five years when it feels like forever. YouTube has made it possible for one person to reach a worldwide audience, turning average Joe’s into Internet superstars, and giving rise to video blogging. It’s easily one of the most important social networks in existence, though many social networks including Facebook, MySpace, and Twitter, all of which launched in the past decade, have all had significant impacts on society.
    4. HDTV: Put a standard definition television broadcast up next to a high def. broadcast and you can’t help but wonder how you ever watched TV and movies before. The crisp, clear, and bright images are awe-inspiring, no exaggeration. HDTV’s have already led to the invention of Blu-Ray discs and in the increasing journey for better quality, who knows what’s next.
    5. High Speed and Wireless Internet: Gone are the days of that god-awful dial tone, high speed Internet means instant access to websites, streaming videos, downloading and well, basically anything done online that I’d otherwise give up on if it took too long to load. Thanks to wireless Internet, take what was just mentioned and add mobility to it. Instantaneous access on the go, wherever you go. The web is always available to us now. Plus, Wi-Fi has certainly made hanging out at coffee shops more fun.
    Not only have these technologies revolutionized the way we live, but they have also set the stage for more world-changing tech to come.
    I can’t wait to see what’s in store for this next decade.

Linda’s Tech Talk: E-reading the future (Nov. 12 2009)

Published in the November 12, 2009 issue of The Nugget.

Linda’s Tech Talk

E-reading the future
by Linda Hoang

    Once upon a time, you’d have to leave your home and go to a bookstore or library to buy or borrow your next novel conquest.
    This is not the case anymore, thanks to electronic readers.
    These tiny, library-bookstore-in-the-palm-of-your-hand devices let you access online bookstores and buy and read digital books, basically anywhere.
    Some might call it the book lover’s best friend. Others might call it the death of real books.
    Though electronic book readers have been around for some time, and have slowly but surely and impressively been improved upon over the years, this holiday season seems to be the season for e-readers.
    Currently Sony’s Digital Reader series dominates the Canadian e-reader market and come December, a brand new model is being launched. Just last week, Barnes & Noble announced their new, function-packed ‘Nook’ e-reader will be released at the end of the month.
    E-reader prices range from $200-$300 and e-books typically go for $9.99.
    Common e-reader features include a backlight, adjustable font sizes for easier reading, highlighting, writing your own digital notes or digitally bookmarking your page. WIth touchscreen e-readers, you can turn pages with a single swipe of your finger.
    Steve Haber, president of Sony’s Digital Reading division, says the goal of e-readers and e-books “is to expand the market and provide open access to what consumers want to read when they want to read it.”
    Regardless of e-readers’ neat features and attempts to look like a real book with paper-like displays, I don’t want to spend hours at school or work in front of a computer screen and then wind down for the night in front of a smaller computer screen.
    Call me old-fashioned, but I still enjoy the feel of a real book, the crack of the spine, and the good ol’ smell of worn paper.
    I also doubt that e-readers and e-books could actually fully replace real books and bookstores in the future, though e-stores and title selections are increasing all the time.
    Who knows, maybe you’ll find this article in a Nugget e-reader archive on your own little e-device in the future.

Linda’s Tech Talk: Telus, Bell get iPhone (Nov. 5 2009)

Published in the November 5, 2009 issue of The Nugget.

Linda’s Tech Talk

Telus, Bell get iPhone
by Linda Hoang

    Canada’s wireless landscape changed forever this week.
    Rogers’ monopoly in Canada officially comes to a halt today as telecom giants Telus and Bell begin to sell the iconic iPhone.
    The move comes just in time for the holiday season, which could mean great things for you and I. After all, competition generally means good things for consumers in the first place. Throw in holiday sales and there’s sure to be price drops, new phone and plan choices and more.
    Up until this point, Rogers had been reaping the benefits of being the sole provider of the phone that is arguably the best and most revolutionary of the mobile age. Rogers had also been the only wireless provider in Canada to use GSM technology (the most popular standard for mobile phones in the world) since 2001.
    This all meant Rogers was in complete control of expensive cellular plans, which we just had to deal with if we wanted in on the coveted iPhone and world-standard technology.
    I’m very curious to see how Rogers will now deal with losing their exclusivity and I’m also very excited to see just how much the cell phone situation in the country will change from this point on.
    Chris Ziegler, mobile editor for web magazine Engaget Mobile, writes that Bell will “be covering fully 93 per cent of the country’s population out of the gate, which should make the new network a viable option immediately for would-be switchers.”
    There are also rumours that quite a few new wireless carriers are slated to open shop in Canada in 2010, bringing with them even more quality, function-packed phones.
    Darren Entwistle, CEO of Telus, is quoted in the Toronto Star last year, as saying that offering two 3G/3GS networks side-by-side will help to “future-proof” Telus as the entire wireless industry moves toward a common standard over the next few years.
    And I am all for sweet future technology.
    Though I have to admit the high-speed, data-intensive, wireless technology of the future is just slightly overwhelming.
    I also hope the new hardcore data phones to come can maintain good battery life because nothing is more infuriating than having a smartphone that can’t do its smart functions because it’s dead.
    Also, is scrapping the ridiculous 3-year, feels-like-a-lifetime contracts next?
    I’ll keep you posted.