Zombie outbreak would be 'disastrous': mathematicians - National Post

OTTAWA -- A team of Canadian mathematicians have been picking their large, delectable brains over whether humankind could survive a zombie apocalypse.

Their conclusion?

"An outbreak of zombies infecting humans is likely to be disastrous, unless extremely aggressive tactics are employed against the undead," says the paper, titled When Zombies Attack! Mathematical Modelling of an Outbreak of Zombie Infection.

"Thus, if zombies arrive, we must act quickly and decisively to eradicate them before they eradicate us."

Scholars put braaaaains together to thwart zombies - Globe and Mail

Zombie walk Saturday in Downtown Vancouver

Zombie Walk

Zombie walks, organized public gatherings with people dressed as zombies, have taken place across North America as early as 2001 in Sacramento, California; the Sacramento event was originally intended to promote a local midnight movie festival. It didn't take long before a slew of cities across the continent began their own walks and adopted them as annual affairs. Vancouver's first undead jaunt took place Aug. 27, 2005 and had over 400 participants. This Saturday's march is expected to draw more than 2,000. Walkers are to meet at 2 p.m. on the north side of the Vancouver Art Gallery. The walk kicks off at 3 p.m.

My life as a zombie - Vancouver 24hrs Video Gallery

Squirrel Portrait Photo, Banff Wallpaper -- National Geographic Photo of the Day

Squirrel Portrait Photo, Banff Wallpaper -- National Geographic Photo of the Day

Shared via AddThis

B.C. brings in sweet fruit crops, but low prices sour growers - Vancouver Sun

Fruit growers were blessed with excellent weather this year. But that hasn't translated into a great year for the province's cherry and blueberry growers, as a bumper crop has flooded the market and pushed down prices.

Many types of fruit have benefited from the lack of a winter frost and an ideal summer. But other fruit such as apples and grapes won't likely suffer from an oversupply when harvested later this year, industry officials said.

Puppy Love gone wild - Global TV

Live, laugh-out loud footage from Global BC's adopt a pet segment. Randene is nearly licked to death. I couldn't mount the video for some reason, just click the title above and prepare for a good laugh.

Friend in Seattle attends Rod Stewart concert, up close and personal

A buddy of mine, Christian Soltendieck, had front row seats at the Rod Stewart concert last night in Seattle. Apparently he got invited to go up on stage by Rod's manager to photograph the concert, and to the backstage party after the concert!

Here are some of the pics he took:

Letters to the Editor Vancouver Sun

Critical of Critical Mass

Re: Respect, not tension, on display as bikes take over streets, Aug. 1

If keeping a family with a five-month-old baby trapped in a car on one of the hottest afternoons of the year is an example of respect, I wonder what an example of disrespect would look like.

John Barton

Vancouver

Letters to the Editor Vancouver Sun

Critical of Critical Mass

Re: Police must act when cyclists' protest threatens rights of others, editorial, July 31

Bravo to The Sun's editorial board for taking a strong stand in championing the rights of all citizens with respect to the cyclists' Critical Mass ride. It is indeed a sad day for Vancouver when both our mayor and our police officials demonstrate so little backbone that they no longer choose to uphold the law but instead turn our city over to a protest group that threatens and bullies the rest of us. Now I know that any special-interest group with moxie and clout can hold others hostage to its cause and, even more astonishing, not have to obey the law -- a recipe for anarchy if I ever saw one.

Barbara Gillanders

Vancouver

Critical Mass Vancouver July 31, 2009 Part 8

Watching this video, it doesn't take long to notice that this isn't about sharing space with bikers, but about occupation of a critical transportation corridor - and on the Friday of a long weekend no less. This isn't about participating, but about exluding others, and incoveniencing the maximum number of people not in their camp. Notice how they block both lanes of the bridge and stop in the middle of the bridge and hang out. What purpose does this possibly serve? I suppose the critically injured person sitting in an ambulance is shit out of luck.

What's even more amazing is that the current city authorities have taken the position that it is better to "avoid confrontation" with anarchists, than to maintain freedom of movement for law-abiding citizens. The police actually authorize unlawful behaviour rather that maintain order.

If the current city officials can't or won't maintain rule of law, citizens should find new ones that can and will. Otherwise the chaos and anarchy will spread.

Faulty argument - Letter to Editor - The Province

The police position that this evening's Critical Mass "protest" is "protected by Charter rights" is utter nonsense.

The Charter protects Canadians from governmental action which infringes fundamental freedoms and then only to the extent that the government action is not a reasonable limitation in a free and democratic society. Just what government action is it that is being protested?

Further, who gave the police the right to determine that a Charter right is at issue? Those judgments are reserved for the judiciary or elected officials.

The "blockade" of public streets is a violation of the law and it is not up to the police to decide which laws they will enforce or not. The police do not have the right to abrogate my entitlement to live in a society of laws.

Donald Jordan, Q.C., Vancouver

Cyclists' sense of entitlement excludes any respect for rules - The Province

Rules are like kryptonite to cyclists.* Stop signs are there for amusement and "one way," apparently, means "any one way you wish."

Many of them don't wear helmets. The sidewalk is the same as the street. And I swear, if I ever saw a cyclist signal a turn I would drop dead in gobstruck shock.

All this is nothing new.

Vancouver cyclists have always had a difficult relationship with rules.

Vancouver police predict Critical Mess on Friday - The Province

"Critial Mass" bycicle ride has morphed into a major traffic disruption.

Police must act when cyclists' protest threatens rights of others - Vancouver Sun

Robertson's explanation to the Vancouver Sun editorial board Thursday that it is unlikely much can be done about today's illegal ride because it is difficult to communicate with a group that has no identifiable leaders is lame.

He should state clearly that, as with all citizens, the members of Critical Mass are expected to obey the law. He should say that all citizens can expect the law to be enforced. He should say that anyone who starts flouting the law, either by recklessly blocking traffic, running red lights or failing to wear helmets, will face legal consequences.

Critical Mass claims to be speaking up for the rights of cyclists. If they can't understand that other people have rights as well, it's time for the police to step in.

The shocking weather has only begun - Vancouver Sun

South Africa was great too! Pics from Vancouver Sun

Lightning strike above English Bay, one hour before July 25 fireworks - Vancouver Sun

We had the most unusual weather and sunset last night for the South Africa fireworks.

Wedding party dancing down the aisle becomes YouTube hit - Vancouver Province

The Eclipse, as Seen by the People (With Flickr Accounts)