I've just adding another dozen
items to my already bloated blogroll. I'm actually quite discriminating
in what I add, rejecting most of the requests I get to 'reciprocally'
blogroll, and never adding a blog until I've seen at least two
remarkable posts on two different days. There's just a lot of great
writing out there! Here are a few of the blogs I've added this time:
Practical Metaphors - Ryan Fugger finds amazing things on the Internet that no one else seems to find. Check out this
post linking to the provocative short film 'Bullet in the Brain' you
can download (bandwidth permitting). Ryan's another reader of Daniel
Quinn's Ishmael. He's an articulate essayist on how to make the world better, and a contributor to the Blogger's Parliament.
A Relative Path -
Jonathan Broad has a brilliant wit and an ability to succinctly
summarize current events and contemplate their deeper meaning. He's
also a pessimist willing to look at the horrors of our recent history
and discuss what they tell us about human nature, and what we could do
to avoid repeating them.
Bastish - Kevin Cameron's
great photoblog that I neglected to include in my recent post of
favourite photoblogs. The picture above is one of Kevin's. He's
currently living in Japan, which must be a photographer's dream.
Orcinus - Seattle
journalist and liberal A-lister Dave Neiwert doesn't need any publicity
from me, but he's a great writer and covers, prolifically and in
detail, well-referenced and supported, the foibles of the Bush regime.
Globalize This - A
new blog by Adam Hersh, a researcher at the Economic Policy Institute,
has astute observations on economic and trade matters, which are going
to be of crucial importance in the coming months and years. In addition
to explaining economic matters in understandable terms, with a
progressive slant that I of course appreciate, Adam also covers the
work of senior economist and colleague Max Sawicky, whose blog MaxSpeak I've also blogrolled.
And on the business/IT side, I've added Stephen Downes' and David Wilcox's blogs, both of which articulately cover the emerging world of social networking and its role in business and society.
(Something light to mark the first anniversary of How to Save the World.)
IMPORTANT INSTRUCTIONS - DO NOT DISCARD
WARNING Explosion, Bodily Injury and/or Property Damage may result if these instructions are ignored!
Congratulations on the purchase of this fine product. With proper care and handling it will give you a lifetime of carefree and enjoyable service! Please note it is your responsibility to see that it is properly assembled, installed and cared for.
Secure hair above shoulder length. Secure
or remove loose clothing, and jewelry or clothing with loosely hanging
ties, straps, tassels etc. They can be caught in moving parts. Long
pants and sleeves, boots and gloves, and safety leg guards are
recommended when operating. Always wear eye protection. DO NOToperate barefoot or while wearing sandals.
DO NOT operate when you are tired, ill, or under the influence of alcohol, drugs, or medication. Wear hearing protection if you regularly use it more than 1 - 1 1/2 hours per day.
If you smell a foul odour
coming from this device, immediately shut it off and extinguish any
open flame. If odour continues, immediately call the fire department
and evacuate small children and pets from the vicinity. Then carefully test for leaks. Do not check for leaks with a match or open flame.
Very fine materials may clog up this product and prevent it from
working properly. Ensure filters are properly installed and functioning
to prevent such materials from damaging this unit. Replace the old bag
when it becomes full and no longer provides adequate suction.
Never use blades or flailing devices with this product. Objects
impacted can cause blindness or injury. Keep firm footing and balance
at all times. Do not over-reach. Do not raise the center of balance of the unit above your waist. Never leave it unattended while in operation.
Warning: Loose screws or wing nuts can cause product to unwind and may
result in damage or injury. Inspect carefully before each use to ensure
all connections are secure.
Always start this unit in 'full choke' position. Remain erect while operating. Do not bend over -- injury may result.
Keep combustible materials, people and animals at least 50 feet away
while operating. Keep oil and grease off working surfaces. Product
comes pre-oiled and needs no further lubrication to operate properly.
Keep operating area well ventilated and never smoke while operating. Do
not use in garages, sheds, or breezeways. Do not install or use in
recreational vehicles or boats.
Product must be equipped with a safety relief valve. Failure to install and use this valve voids your warranty.
If your model has an (optional) Viewing Window: Do not use sharp tools
to remove sales materials from Viewing Window, and avoid using in heavy
rain. If Window shatters, any food in the area should not be eaten.
Before each use, look for and replace damaged and loose parts. After
each use, scrub thoroughly with a long-handled brass brush. Do not use
commercial oven cleaners. Spiders' webs can block flow - remove with
pipe cleaner.
Break product in gently before first major use. Avoid serious impact.
Keep it level and stable at all times. Move only with extreme care.
Some intermittent snapping and popping noises are normal. Do not allow
a fixed picture to remain on the screen for a prolonged period.
Shock, or sparks visible at contact points, is evidence of improper
grounding. If snow is visible, you may be operating in a fringe area.
If this unit is to remain unused for an extended period of time, it
should be lightly oiled, wrapped in paper and stored in a cool, dry
place.
And as with any dangerous and complex equipment, keep this product out of reach of children.
We hope you enjoy your new purchase. Should you encounter any problems
during assembly or operation, our friendly 24-hour service staff will
be pleased to resolve them to your complete satisfaction.
Postscript Warning: The exhaust from this product contains chemicals
known to the State of California to cause cancer, birth defects, and
other reproductive harm.
(All of the 'warnings' in this
post have been taken verbatim from various manuals for household
appliances that, for some reason, I have kept)
MADE IN CANADA
trust your
instincts 
WARNING
