This afternoon I was walking through woods when I happened upon a brisk thump thump thump from above. Right there, thirty feet up, a woodpecker was dutifully in search of a resonant dead birch for snack. The fullness of its knock seemed to resound with unusual clarity amongst the unbound space we occupied.

I reached out to touch the tree; were I deaf I'd have just as easily swallowed the full character of the sound. Each whack of beak into wood transmitted cleanly through the trunk like a telegraph. I pressed my ear up to the smooth still-white bark and listened, for some moments, to the crisply amplified foray.

Mosquitoes ushered me onward too hastily, but I walked with a smile to myself in an unexpected and welcome contented wonder.

Also this afternoon I happened to read a quote of the famed physicist and humanitarian Richard Feynman: "Far more marvelous is the truth than any artists of the past imagined it. Why do the poets of the present not speak of it? What men are poets who can speak of Jupiter if he were a man, but if he is an immense spinning sphere of methane and ammonia must be silent?" Perhaps appropriately coincident.

A couple of weeks ago I was riding the bus and noticed with great amusement this advertisement for Algonquin College (right). "Impact your life and your community" it declares in a vibrant and approachable-looking font, while a couple of bored-looking students clad in ceremonial graduate garb pose at centre, one clutching a rolled-up paper tube like a baseball bat.

It is reasonable to presume that this ad is a product of the minds of brilliant Algonquin marketing graduates — or if not, that it is at least representative of their typical quality and skill. Reading the copy I could not help but wince at the hackneyed choice of noun-cum-verb. To me it serves only to reduce any smart and intriguing impact that the otherwise tired-looking banner might have successfully delivered.

Where you would you choose to study English?

This past weekend we did the MS Walk and our team, spearheaded by the unfazible and jubilant Beth Button, celebrated our collection of over twelve thousand dollars for research. Wow. I'm not sure whether it looks bigger written in words or with the several zeroes, but put either way it's a helluva laudable figure. I am so proud of what we were able to achieve, and to have been able to participate. Even if I am just a transient meatsac in the grandscheme (and one who sucks at keeping up well enough with his friendships on a good day), to be able to contribute some difference to a worthy cause and a vested interest of an amazing friend makes me feel more alive. Way to go, dudes. And thank you sincerely to everyone who donated on my behalf.

In unrelated regional news, the city of London has gone insane. According to the CBC, "signs will soon be posted in the city warning young people that they need a parent or guardian to buy certain art supplies." Apparently, sales of markers and spray paint will be restricted to those of voting age. Ridiculous! What's next, banning chewing gum because some dicks mash their spent wads on the undersides of restaurant tables?

Talking of regional affronts, an anonymous coward addressed quite articulately on /. this morning the differences between Britain, England and the United Kingdom. I found this not only enlightening but insightful.

Finally, Mark sent me a link to this most awesome vendor: Goat Gifts. Who could ask for more? Hee!