Author: James McNally

Only In The National Post

Front page of the National Post today: Rebecca Eckler Is Pregnant

Now, for those not in the know, Rebecca Eckler is someone who has built her entire journalistic career around the type of writing that should have been confined to a weblog. I have nothing against her personally. In fact, I’m a little envious that I can’t get a column for a national newspaper talking about my feelings about relationships, what clothes and shoes I find jaunty, and where I had drinks last weekend. The cynical me wonders if the whole pregnancy thing is just a way for her to get material for another nine months plus worth of columns.

Apple Music Service?

Rumours have been swirling for weeks, and next Monday, some of them will become reality. It’s almost a certainty that Apple will be launching some sort of online music service, probably closely linked with its iTunes software (or the bundled MusicMatch that comes with Windows versions of the iPod). My guess (and it’s an informed one) is that Apple will use the AAC format that has been included in Quicktime since last year. AAC is a new compression format that squeezes files smaller than MP3, but will allow some form of digital rights management. The files will still likely be convertible to MP3, allowing Apple to save face with the file-swapping masses, while satisfying the music industry’s need to get paid. As for prices, who knows? But in my opinion, even $1 per track might be a hard sell.

I Didn’t Go To The Prom

I’m sitting here at home, insanely envious of all the lucky and smart people who are at this very moment congregating at the Emerging Technology Conference. Drat!

UPDATE: Significant things have happened already:

Cory Doctorow over at BoingBoing is doing a great job of blogging from the conference. I’ll be reading his notes and so should you.

Dog Days (and Nights)

Remember our neighbours? The ones who used to slam their door mercilessly? Well, not even a few months after that problem has been fixed, they have acquired a tiny yappy dog. He barks day and night. The only respite is when they’re yelling at him to “STOP BARKING!!!!”. I swear it must be a plot by Brooke to drive me to buy a condo somewhere.

What We Did Tonight

Pre-dinner: 3.7km run (about 2.3 miles) (2 minutes running, 1 minute walking, 8 sets)

Dinner: Apple and Caraway Stuffed Chicken Breasts: I adapt the recipe slightly by leaving out currants and parsley, and substituting white wine for apple cider. Delicious! Accompanied by my first ever New Zealand Sauvignon Blanc, the 2001 Sacred Hill, from the Marlborough region, very lively and a great match with the food.

Post-dinner: Simone (2002), a clunker.