Good Time Charlie

Good Time Charlie liked to booze
he never knew how to refuse.
Good Time Charlie blamed his wife
he said she tried to change his life.

Good Time Charlie was a soak
he drank till he was stoney broke.
Whenever Good Time hit the booze
he said it was to drown his blues.

Charlie's wife would cry and wait
Good Time always came home late.
Singing cocka-doodle-doo hi there wife
tonight I had the best time of my life.

Charlie's wife took much abuse
then one day she cooked his goose.
When she could not take no more
she knocked Good Time to the floor.

He will never cheat again
wink his eye at some old hen.
I just got word today
Good Time Charlie passed away.

It is sad how he behaved
while his good wife for him slaved.
She stuck by him long and brave
now she is weeping over Good Time Charlie's grave.

Tom Hoy

Lethbridge

More Later....
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ACQUINE: Automatic Photo Rating - Aesthetic Quality Inference Engine

As I've been trying to decide on my final portfolio, I needed some criteria other than my personal preference. I have some friends with good eyes, but sometimes they are sympathetic to my plite.  I've already stripped what I have down, and what is left can subjected to others preferences. I'm always looking for more feedback of my photos because I have moments of brilliance, and sometimes not so much. Everything I've uploaded to my flickr account has been reviewed a few times before I think it's "reasonable", not all of it is perfect, but I liked it.  

Introducing ACQUINE, one of the most useful, and most frustrating things to happen to my photography. ACQUINE is a software based aesthetic engine;  in effect a software based photo critic.  The software scores an image out of 100, 50 is considered a portrait by a typical quality professional photog, but anything over 40 is considered an above average image.

I've uploaded a number of images and while my average is in the 40s, my highs are in the 90s and my lows are actually in the single digits!! I know it's not the final word on what is a good photo, and the designers have challenges with the engine; it is a work in progress after all.  They mention limitations of the system, but it still is frustrating.  It shows me some gems, and then totally disses some of mine and some others favourites.

If your curious about your own work give it a whirl....



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9

9 is wonderful animated movie, set it a post apocalyptic world.  The human world has been destroyed by robots, and all that are left is a handful of animatronic dolls.  It is hard to talk about this movie in great detail without playing the spoiler, so I won't.

The movie starts a little slow, without much talking, so you need to exercise a little patience; it does pick up quickly. There are a number of wonderful McGuyver like moments throughout the movie that make you chuckle; a handful of others are reminiscent of Indiana Jones, great fun.

The animation is fluid; the world complex, and would make Tim Burton or James Cameron proud.  The characters are quirky, well voiced, and very charming.

Well worth a watch.


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A Friend In Deed

Some Animals are not so dumb
on human friends they like to bum
I am sure the average pussy cat

has never seen a mouse or rat.
But he knows how to act the fool
and play with grandma's ball of wool.
He loves it when she strokes his fur
he shuts his eyes and starts to purr
They say a dog is man's best friend
on him you can a small fortune spend.
On nice soft rugs he loves to sleep
he wastes no time in counting sheep.
But poochy knows a trick or two
he gives affection that is true
He greets you with a friendly yip
And does not give you any lip.
With friends like that I have no quarrel
but they are hard to keep in urban sprawl
From them some folks could take a tip
in the art of true companionship.

Tom Hoy

Lethbridge
1985

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His Still Small Voice

I am no the man I used to be
and maybe never was
But I believe the way to life
is hid within God's laws

Men have come and men have gone
they pass like a river
Some have dreams and plans and schemes
but none stay here forever

I have lived and searched for truth
for many, many years
Although I never gave up hope
I shed some bitter tears

It is not just things that others say
that I don't like to hear
But things I wish I never said
that ring inside my ear

Words are like a boomerang
be sure they are kind are true
They always travel in a curve
and come right inside my ear

I listen to God's still small voice
as he whispers like an elf
His words that give life to my soul
I have learned to speak myself

Now here is what hes says to me
my son Jesus is the key
His love and truth will make you free
he opened my door to life for thee

I fore no one to live or die
the choice is theirs I will tell you why
Persuade a man against his will
He will have the same opinion still

Tom Hoy

Lethbridge

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