"Chirp, Chirp, Chirp...shut the f*** up!"

My Neighbor and The Bird-feeder

The Situation:

So I have this neighbor, a kind and soft-spoken man who proudly tends to his garden and of course, bird-feeder. Every morning he sweeps his already clean driveway and then sits on his porch to admire the birds. His bird-feeder attracts many Blue Jays, Cardinals, yellow-winged things, and more who happily pop a perch to snack, bathe, and say hello by chirping, loudly. Now I don't have anything against birds, nor my neighbor for that matter. In fact, the birds are quite pretty and my neighbor is stubbornly nice.

The Problem:

But did I mention that the birds start their day at 5AM? Well, they do. These birds rise and shine before the sun has even peaked above the horizon. Meanwhile, I am tossing and turning to the sound of "chirp chirpy chripity chirp". My window is tightly shut, my blinds are drawn, I am oh so tired, and yet the birds are having a party. I feel the need - and practically have the right - to complain. 

You may begin to wonder or downright assume that live in a rural, country-style neighborhood which, naturally, would attract many birds. The answer to this is no. I actually live in the heart of the city, blocks away from busy Yonge Street. In my neighborhood, the only thing attracting these flocks of birds is the damn bird-feeder. 

The Diagnosis: 

I decided to do some research before drawing a conclusion. In the process I stumbled across "The Backyard Birder". Key word, "backyard". My neighbor's bird-feeder is most definitely not in his backyard. It is blatantly set up in the middle of his front yard for the world to see, and hear. I know it's not the law for all bird-feeders to be in the backyard only, but shouldn't it be common knowledge? I'm not a bird expert or anything, but wouldn't it be nicer to look out your "back" window or sit on your "back" porch to peacefully admire the birds, without any cars or strangers going by?

Although come to think of it, maybe his bedroom window faces the backyard thus he strategically placed the feeder in the front yard so he wouldn't wake at the crack of dawn. Or maybe he truly does prefer his front yard; but, I dismiss this possibility. 

The Solution:

Realistically there is not much that I can do, without being a rude and evil neighbor. However, my options are:

a) Drunkly come home, in a rage, rip the bird-feeder out of the ground and throw it somewhere very far away.

b) Invest in a pair of earplugs, despite their discomfort.

c) Explain the situation to my neighbor and propose that he refills the birdseed after 7am, at least!

d) Live with the chirps for another couple months until I move back to school in the fall.

I have yet to choose an option. Option A is rather appealing but option C and or D would be the kind and "neighborly" thing to do. 

Alas, my frustration. 

Toronto City Girl Flees to California!

"If you're going to San Francisco, be sure to wear some flowers in your hair. If you're going to San Francisco, you're gonna meet some gentle people there"

Why not jump on the opportunity to see what San Fran is all about? Why not check out the surfer dudes? Why not ride the trolly cars, as seen in the TV series Full House? Why not see the famous post-card bridge? WHY NOT?!

I absolutely love traveling. On a map I can highlight quite a few places such as Hawaii, Greece, Vail Colorado, London, and more...but I can't highlight California, as of yet anyway. Come early July, I will be venturing out to "Cali". I am uncontrollably excited to explore and soak up the California sun; but most of all, I am excited to meet my fellow GotGamers who are located in San Fran. 

I am a "social butterfly" as they call it - partially due to my gemini attributes - so meeting and greeting new people is always a top priority on my agenda.  

As for my trip preparation, I should probably hit up a tanning salon in order to blend in with the 'beachy' local folk. I typically run everyday so hopefully I can handle the hills, rumor has it that San Fran has mad hills. As for attire, I will definitely pack my "I am Canadian" t-shirt and sew a few Canadian flags onto my backpack. Kidding, I don't even own a Canadian related t-shirt let alone a real backpack. Who has time to sew anyway? However I will remember to proudly say "eh" in every few sentences or so. That is Canadian spirited enough :)

California, here I come!

Shocking Results for Video Game Power Consumption

Rated E - For Energy

Virtually all games have a rating for their various content levels; however, what about a rating for their energy consumption levels? In the last few years, millions of people have turned "green", but not in a freaky Hulk sort of way. Products and appliances in every direction, from the supermarket to the car dealership, have become more energy-efficient in hopes to better our mother earth. 

Could video games go green? According to Choice Magazine, it wouldn't be a bad idea. Gaming systems, specifically PS3, suck up a lot of electrical juice. But how much juice could a puny box possibly use, right? Well in fact, leaving an inactive PlayStation 3 on costs nearly $250 a year in electricity bills, which is more than a refrigerator costs to run. This shocking outcome was determined by various energy tests to calculate both the power usage and cost wastage. The tested suspects were an array of popular gaming systems in their three different "on" modes: "standby", "on but idle", and "on and in use". Along with PS3, systems such as Xbox and Wii are rather power hungry. Out of the bunch, PS3 has the biggest appetite, Xbox is close behind while Wii is on more of a diet. Even when "idle" (on, but not in use), PS3 consumes the most power than of the other devices tested. 

So what does this mean for PS3 junkies? Fortunately, being energy efficient does not mean limiting video games to once a week, playing in the dark, or signing onto the "green movement". It simply means that following some easy steps could save you some big bucks. Along with reuse, reduce, and recycle - turn off your gaming devices when not in use.

Chapter 1: Summer Introduction

"Summer time and the livin' is easy..."

The summer heat wave is irresistible, especially after a long and frigid Canadian winter - no, I do not live an Igloo but Toronto can get pretty damn cold!

Once my exams finished at the end of April it was late night celebrations, job interviews, and glorious weekend sleep-ins. As a side note, I'm an honors student studying MIT (media, information, technoculture) at The University of Western Ontario. I absolutely love school, but I love summer more. 

I'm a busy girl, always getting up at the crack of dawn in order to soak up every ounce of the day. A typical day consists of writing and researching for my summer internship at GotGame (check it out: http://news.gotgame.com/), yoga in the morning, a workout in the late afternoon, and at least a couple trips to my corner Starbucks. Once the weekend rolls around, it tends to be pure enjoyment often consisting of downtown nonsense, and arriving at home when the sun is rising. This past Sunday I arrived after the daily morning newspaper did, yikes! And Sunday?! I know, ridiculous. Yet in my books, it is always time well spent. :) 

But wait, what is GotGame you ask? Well, it is probably the coolest new thing entering the gaming industry. An array of interns, such as myself, are avidly gaming and working hard to write, market, create, and explore the best news available. If you got game in you, check it out. 

To my fellow readers: I will write, inform, ramble, comment, amuse, and possibly cause addiction. Because now that you're in, you can't get out. So please feel free to indulge and satisfy your new craving. 

Sincerely,

Jess