Author: Jeff Milner

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The $10,000 Typo?

I got a letter in the mail the other day from the Alberta Government. They wrote to tell me that my student loans are coming due. To most people, including me, a letter from the government asking for money would usually put you in a bad mood, even if it’s money that you rightfully owe.

However, this particular letter said I owed exactly $10,000 less than I recall borrowing. So, either (A) my mind is going early (B) The government of Alberta is so rich they are just going to write off $10,000 of my loan, (C)somebody at the student loans office enjoys a sick form of entertainment toying with my emotions or (D) the missing number “1” was merely a typo.

I haven’t called them to find out the real situation yet because I’m trying to enjoy this brief façade for as long as I can. I’ll call them tomorrow and let everyone know what the situation is, because I know you’re curious. (Don’t forget to come back tomorrow, or you’ll never know…)

Update: Of course they didn’t just drop $10,000 off without telling me. I’m just not quite on top of things I guess. I have two loans, one from the Alberta government and one from the Canadian government. When I got the letter from the Alberta government saying how much I owe, I thought that was the total for all my loans; now I know better.

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Grand Canyon Walkway

Grand Canyon Walkway

Coming to a Grand Canyon near you — January 2006. Yes it’s true.

Grand Canyon Skywalk
Scheduled to open January 1, 2006
Hualapai Indian Reservation

  • Juts out about 70 feet into the canyon, 4000 ft above the Colorado River
  • Built with more than a million pounds of steel beams and includes dampeners that minimize the structure’s vibration
  • Designed to hold 72 million pounds, withstand an 8.0 magnitude earthquake 50 miles away, and withstand winds in excess of 100 mph
  • Has a glass bottom and sides…four inches thick
  • Will accommodate 120 people comfortably (How comfortable would YOU be?)

(via Snopes)

Update: Here is another image of the Grand Canyon walkway, apparently from M.R.J Architects.

Grand Canyon Walkway

Update: Here is a photo of the finished skywalk:

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Compelling Flash Based Game

I like this game I stumbled upon. Getting a high score involves more luck than skill, but it’s got an addictiveness about it that I can appreciate.

The objective of the game is to get a chain reaction of tiles as long as possible. Tiles will start each other if their lines are connected. Click on a tile to start.

Grid-game.

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Tips for Surviving October

Tip #1: Be careful when raking the leaves in your yard too enthusiastically. One could easily injure his back and find himself in a very painful predicament and still have a yard full of leaves.

Tip #2: Don’t buy candy two-weeks before Halloween because on a Sunday afternoon with an injured back you better believe that candy won’t make it through the hour.

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This Divided State Movie Trailer

I’ve watched Michael Moore’s movies and read his books. I think he’s not really all he’s cracked up to be – in fact I’m actually very critical of a lot of the ways in which he operates. However after watching the This Divided State movie trailer and the other clips available at iFilm I was so disgusted with some of the people at UVSC, it just made my blood boil!

This Divided State follows the explosion of community protest surrounding Michael Moore’s visit to Utah Valley State College (UVSC) in October 2004. Though UVSC is located in one of the strongest Republican strongholds in the United States, vehement opposition to liberal filmmaker Michael Moore’s visit was much greater than anticipated. Death threats, hate mail, bribes, and lawsuits were all candidly captured on film. Equally surprising, however, was the overwhelming “uprising” of students in support of Michael Moore. Additionally, since the controversy took place in Utah, a heated religious debate broke out as to whether Mormons can profess to be liberal without betraying their religion.

When it comes down to it, it’s not about whether you agree or disagree with Moore’s viewpoint. It is about whether you believe the students have the right to bring him to their school to share that viewpoint.

Also check out the This Divided State official site.