Don Tai (Canada) Blog

Some interview questions are simply very puzzling to me. They beg the question “Why do they ask them”, and what is there to be gained. Interviews are stressful events, and to ask a candidate seemingly idiotic questions that prove seeming little about their innate talents can be worse than pointless. These questions may show that the interviewing company treats their employees irresponsibly.

A case in point the question above: What is the next in the sequence SSS SCC C SC? This IT interview question is said to be from Google Corp. You can google for the answer, as I did. I found the solution here.

Weary, I am, though I do not tell anyone else. Why, you may ask, but to not burden others. For to trudge on, with a smile, is the right thing to do.

No one notices, and really, no one need notice. To those who have thrown up hands in frustration, I see your point. To those that have done something radical as a result, I also see your point, though we tell ourselves we will get through it.

At times it seems unbearable, but we trudge on. Oh, to Transform myself into a rock.

What is their message and why did they choose to dress as clowns? Kids would easily identify them as clowns.

Little Weed wanted to see the Buskerfest. Last year he thoroughly enjoyed the performances, which seemed to have influenced him to practice more Rola Bola and diabolo. Given the chance the elder Little Weed also came along. This year here in Toronto did not have the impact of last year’s performance, but was still quite enjoyable. In contrast to last year’s 32C weather, where we almost collapsed, this year’s 23C overcast was very welcoming. Here are some reviews of the performers we saw today, Sunday August 28 2011. Sorry I was too lazy to take photos.

We all die sometime, but sudden deaths are still shocking. I had hoped that Jack Layton would change Canada for the better as Official Opposition in Canada’s Parliament. Now this will not happen. Bad timing? Right person, wrong time? Is there ever a “right time”? Though I did not meet him, I felt he was a person of integrity and honesty, one that would truly represent the people that voted for him, and for the betterment of all Canadians. This I do not feel for any other politician in Federal politics. May his spirit carry on.

Freshly squeezed orange juice is so much better, and way more expensive, than tetrapacked or frozen

Growing up, orange juice was a valued commodity in our family, in that it was rare on our table. Orange juice was expensive to buy and my family could not afford it on a regular basis. While we were “encouraged” to drink water in actuality we had no choice. For this reason, I provide orange and apple juice to our Little Weeds. To me orange juice is a daily reminder of the importance of the small things in life. In a revelation of sorts I set up a taste test of freshly squeezed vs cartoned orange juice (OJ) for the Little Weeds. It was no surprise that they were able to identify which one was freshly squeezed, and also no surprise which one they preferred. Freshly squeezed orange juice is so much better in taste than cartoned orange juice. You really cannot believe all the marketing and packaging of products, as they can warp your life perspective.

The randomness of life has once again asserted itself in Agincourt Mall, in front of NoFrills, Kennedy/Sheppard at 09:15 June 03 2011, an older Italian lady fell, cut her finger and could not get up. Her elderly husband could not help her and he was very distraught. A crowd gathered and we assessed her condition, which seemed not life threatening. Eventually an ambulance came and took her away. What was surprising to me was my reaction: Because she fell down in the middle of the road in front of our busy NoFrills, on the grounds of Agincourt Mall, that we were in danger of getting run down by dangerous and inattentive Scarborough drivers.

Euripides, Greece, 484-406 BCE

Whom the gods wish to destroy, they first make mad (Euripedes)

How to avoid getting killed by a car, especially a left turning car at a signalized intersection, is a frequent topic of discussion on motorcycle forums and blogs. For a long time smart motorcyclists have been looking for the cause and solution to this deadly dilemma, in the hopes of reducing or eliminating the threat. First-hand documented accounts of crashes are dissected with a forensic zeal. Possible causes and contributing factors are suggested. Motorcyclists always leave the discussion with an uneasiness and queasiness in the gut: Often the cause of the crash, a car driver, is beyond the rider’s control. In this case an automotive writer riding his motorcycle gets into a head-on crash with a left-turning young lady, who says the typical cop-out excuse: “I did not see him”.

Foreign reporters in China have it tough. While they try to stay out of trouble, their very profession puts them in harm’s way. It could be worse: They could be local reporters. The Toronto Star’s Asia Bureau reporter Bill Schiller was detained and interrogated by undercover police in Beijing. He was eventually released. At least they did not beat the crap out of him. They could have, and there would be nothing he could do about it before, during or after. From a Canadian standpoint, being detained by Beijing police was quite illegal, by Chinese law, and should not have occurred. Such incidents with foreign reporters are quite common. The message to Mr. Schiller, from a Chinese government perspective is as follows: You are in China and you play by our rules. You were covering an event that you should not have. We can detain you, search through your things and confiscate whatever we wish. Being a reporter offers you absolutely no protection from the police. You were committing an illegal act and you signed a document admitting this. You admitted guilt, so now we have the legal right to not only detain you but to deport you from China for your crime. We own you.