MattGunn.ca

A while back, I jumped on the Twitter bandwagon. So until I start getting on the updates, feel free to follow me at twitter.com/mattgunn18

I know it’s been a long, long time since my last update, and for that, I apologize.

A change of jobs made it very hard to keep updating the site, but now thanks to the wonderful advances with Blackberries (as well as me slowly beginning to cope all it’s possibilities), it looks like I will able to start up the site again.

Seeing as most posts will be coming from my phone, I can’t promise the best spelling or a perfect layout, but I’ll do my best.

Hoping this time my return works out.

-Matt

This video has been around for a while, but I wanted to post it anyways for those who haven’t seen it.

Hilarious.

For as long as I can remember, EA Sport’s NHL series of video games has been my favorite. I’ve owned each one since back in 1993, when it was released on Super Nintendo.

Today (Sept 13th), the latest greatest version of the game has been released, and I will be picking up a copy for my XBox 360.

Last year, EA released the revolutionary “skill stick” control, which has made the game much more fun to play, and opens up a world of new things you can do with the players. It’s as close to “controlling” a player as it’s ever been in a hockey video game.

I’m hoping this year’s game will improve on some of the weaker areas of ‘07, such as improving on the defense, and adding some advanced goaltender controls for the shoot out.

Either way, I am sure this game will be great for hours and hours of wasted time entertainment.

Someone has gone through the effort of customizing zombie versions of popular comic book super heroes. The results are pretty cool.

Here’s a picture of some of the figures created. You can click here for several more.

Extremely geeky, but pretty cool as well.

Once again, here’s a Transformers-based post. This time, it’s a fun little quiz.

Find the answer to, which Transformer are you?

I took the 22-question quiz, and which Transformer am I?

Megatron. 67% Megatron, to be exact.

Along with matching me to Megatron, the site also gives a little explanation:

“Megatron is the leader of the Decepticons. He will stop at nothing to establish his empire and destroy the Autobots, starting with Optimus Prime.

Like Megatron, you are not compassionate and harbor evil thoughts. You are inspiring, confident, and a natural leader. The Decepticons have chosen well. In addition, you enjoy technology and are aware of the latest trends, but you stick with what works for you.”

Now who wouldn’t want to be described like that?

Megatron is the most vile, evil, and power hungry Transformer of all. He’s long been one of my favorites, second only to Optimus Prime. Megatron even managed to make my Top 10 Childhood Heroes list.

> Click Here to take the quiz for yourself!

Now that is what I call a birthday cake. Here’s what the amazing wife who made the cake had to say:

“I wanted to do something special for my Husband Tim for his 30th b-day so the obvious choice was to have a giant Optimus Prime cake made for the party. I ordered it from a local Nashville cake shop – The French Confection. They did a fabulous job! The thing is the size of a toddler (and I’m sure has more calories ^_^). It has brownie dirt complete with fondant grass and the body is made of cake and rice crispy treats. I added the cake shops web site to the image to give them some kudos.”

Wife of the year? I think so.

> Click here to see the original Flickr page

I don’t like pop or soda or whatever you want to call it. I’ve never really cared for carbonated beverages, and I can’t remember the last time I chose to sit back and enjoy a Pepsi or Coke. I just don’t like the taste. Well, unless of course it’s mixed about 50/50 with some Bacardi Gold or whatever type of alcohol may be within reach.

It seems all of America is addicted to (what they refer to as) soda, and I’ve never quite got the addiction. It makes your teeth feel weird, it doesn’t really taste all that great at all, and it isn’t good for you whatsoever.

However, saying all of this, today I did something I don’t ever remember doing before. I bought a 12-pack of pop (I’m canadian, deal with it), and it wasn’t to mix with my current alcohol of choice.

Pepsi is the first to mix what is my one sweet-tooth weakness with their cola… they made a caramel flavored pop. I love caramel. I don’t care what you mix it with, I will eat it. Caramel and banana? Done. Caramel and apples? You know it. Caramel and chicken? Yeah I probably would.

So, caramel and Pepsi? Well, it’s a match made in heaven. I am currently on my 4th can of the evening. Well, sort of.

You know I just had to see what it would taste like mixed with the amazing Bacardi Gold.

Either way, Pepsi you have done something no other carbonated beverage company has done before, and that’s made me enjoy a simple, plain can of pop.

Today I found a very interesting website called houseofnames.com. The site allows you to search by last name and it will return some interesting information about the history of your last name, including family crest, the first known settlers, the clan badge and more.

Of course, I looked up my last name, Gunn.

My last name is of Scottish descent, which I already knew. Here’s House of Name’s brief history of my name:

The story of the Gunn family stretches back through time to the Viking settlers who populated the rugged shores of Scotland in the Medieval era. The name Gunn was derived from Gunnar. Further research revealed that the name is derived from a pet form of this Viking name. The diminutive form is Gunn. The Vikings first came to Scotland in the 9th century after being dispossessed by the King of Norway of their holdings in Scandinavia.

The spellings of Scottish names dating from the medieval era often bear little resemblance to those seen today. They vary enormously because scribes in that time spelled according to their ears. Some spelling variations of the name Gunn include Gunn, Gun, Guinne (Gaelic) and others.First found in the Orkneys where they were seated from very ancient times, some say well before the Norman Conquest and the arrival of Duke William at Hastings in 1066 A.D.

The farms of Scottish settlers soon dotted the east coast of the colonies that would become the nations of the United States and Canada. Many of those migrants and their children went on to play important roles in the founding the great nations of North America. Early North American immigration records have revealed a number of people bearing the Scottish name Gunn or a variant listed above, including: Daniel Gunn who settled in Boston in 1651; John Gunn settled in Virginia in 1654; William Gunn settled in Jamaica in 1651; John Gunn settled in Nevis in 1654.

You can also buy t-shirts, hats, key chains, mouse pads and other stuff with your family crest on them at the site. They have quite the little operation going on, but at least they provide you with some free information (among all the crap they’re trying to sell).

Click here to find out about your family’s history.

If you like baby animals, you’ll love this.

The Daily Mail has an entire post dedicated to this awesome little Lion cub. Click Here to check out several more pictures like this one:

Anyone who’s ever had a party could use a set of these.

Waterproof playing cards. So simple, yet such a great idea.

I can’t remember how many decks of cards we’ve had ruined thanks to some spilly game players. It’s pretty common to drink while playing card games… hell, it just doesn’t seem right to play a hand of poker without a drink by your side.

Pretty much the only card games I play are drinking games. These games always end up with drinks being spilled everywhere, so I think a set of these cards would come in handy.

If you’re interested, you can pick a set up at Umbra.com for $9 CDN.

We all know, I am a Transformers fanatic. This picture is framed, in super size form, on my wall. How awesome is it? Drawn by Simon Furman… check it out… (click for the full sized version)

Wow, I don’t know how he pulls this off…

This is a pretty interesting new way to block your kids from having internet access on the computer:

Computer geeks and white-hat hackers in the UK developed the KidSafe Parental Control Key to help lock down computer access in the easiest and most secure way possible. Each key is unique and cannot be duplicated. When inserted, they key allows your computer to boot and access the internet. When removed, the computer is locked tight, and unusable.

Kids today are smart, and can get around Windows passwords, and Internet filtering programs pretty easily. Proxies and workarounds exist for even the most draconian firewalls, but the KidSafe key protects your computer and your kids with a physical key. It’s stronger, more reliable, and more convenient than passwords. It can’t be uninstalled or worked around – even by booting to safe-mode. They’ve even got processes to keep your computer from booting to a live CD or other boot device.

Pretty smart new way to keep them off the net… unless the kid looks at the back of the computer and sees the bright purple stick that says “kidsafe” on it. Like it says above, “kids today are smart”, and they’d probably figure this out sooner or later. Still, for the real young ones, I think this could be a great product. We’ve all heard the stories of the little five old girl searching for “pony”, and getting some pretty inappropriate results.

You can buy it here, for $59.99 USD.

I just read a really, really sad piece of news…

WWE.com – World Wrestling Entertainment is deeply saddened to report that today Chris Benoit and his family were found dead in their home. There are no further details at this time, other than the Benoit family residence is currently being investigated by local authorities.

Tonight’s Raw on USA Network (8/7 CT) will serve as a tribute to Chris Benoit and his family. WWE extends its sincerest thoughts and prayers to the Benoit family’s relatives and loved ones in this time of tragedy.

Chris Benoit was one of my favorite wrestlers back when I used to watch it as a kid. He was a Canadian, and was known for his excellent wrestling ability and not from a stupid or over-the-top gimmick like many other “stars”. He was incredibly talented, and this is just shocking news. Especially for the fact that not only did he die, but his entire family. I can’t imagine what could have caused this.

This is such a brutal and horrible tragedy.

Update: Well, the worst possible cause to this horrific tragedy has been revealed. Out of anyone in the WWE, Benoit would have probably been one of the last guys I ever would have thought capable of this:

From TMZ.com:

Several Atlanta-based law enforcement sources have told TMZ Benoit may have strangled his wife on Saturday, then smothered his son in his bed a day later. Investigators refuse to officially comment, pending final confirmation by the coroner on the cause and time of the deaths.

One source told TMZ that Benoit was texting friends during Sunday’s WWE “Vengeance” Pay-Per-View program — possibly watching the show with his son, who may have been alive at the time.

According to sources, Benoit then hanged himself Monday in a weight room inside the family home.

A police investigation is ongoing.

Update June 29: Apparently, on Chris Benoit’s Wikipedia page, someone posted a note that Benoit’s wife passed away. How is this news? Well, it was posted 13 hours before the police even found the bodies. Interesting, and confusing. This story only gets more and more insane as the days go by.

It looks like fast food giant Wendy’s may be up for sale, thanks to declining business.

WSJ.com – “Wendy’s International Inc. said it will consider a sale of the hamburger chain as the company slashed its earnings forecast for the year, underscoring the competitive environment in the fast-food industry.

Same-store sales, or sales at stores open at least a year, are running below plan, in part because of higher menu prices as well as higher beef and dairy costs, Wendy’s said. But the company is also losing customers because of aggressive marketing by larger rivals McDonald’s Corp., Burger King Holdings Inc. and Yum Brands Inc.”

I first want to say that Wendy’s is my favorite fast food chain. I don’t eat fast food that often, but when I do, Wendy’s is always my first choice. I find their burgers taste more “real”, and don’t leave you feeling like you have a heaping pile of sickness sitting in your stomach afterwards. I also enjoy how they give you several side options, rather than the usual and fattening “fries” option only.

It kinda surprises me that McDonalds is doing better, as I was under the impression they were in decline. Plus eating McDicks, is like eating a bowl of poison. Anyone who can eat McDonalds and not feel sick isn’t human. It may taste great at 3am after a night filled with lots of alcohol, but within minutes you regret the decision.

I’m not into Burger King, either. For some reason, it’s never been my fast food joint of choice. I’ve eaten at Burger Kings maybe ten times in my life (and that was all during Hoff and I’s Whopper Wednesday tradition about four years ago).

I’ve said how I feel… what’s your favorite fast food “restaurant”?

Deciding on a baby name is one of those things you and your significant other are almost guaranteed to have a few arguments about. It’s a girl, and she likes “Polly”, but whenever you hear that name, all you can think about is the girl who wore the pink helmet in elementary school and drooled all over herself. Your little girl will not wear a helmet, nor will she drool. At least she won’t when she’s 11. Your baby girl will not be named Polly.

It’s a boy, and you like “Jonathan”. But Jonathan is the name of the bully that used to call your wife fat, and stuff doughnuts down her pants in the 7th grade. No go on Jonathan.

The cycle continues over and over. You may consult some baby books if you have to, but eventually you will settle on a name. It will rank somewhere around 47th on your list of favorite names, but you’re just happy it’s not “Polly”.

Millions of people around the world have this same problem, but in the end, every couple eventually compromises.

The Social Security Administration recently released a list of the most popular baby names from 2000-2006. Click here for the list.

Jacob, Michael and Josh came in as the top three boys names (my step brother’s names are Michael and Josh, heh) and Emily, Madison and Emma came in as the top three girls names (I don’t know anyone by those names).

All babies eventually get a name, regardless of the time it takes to decide on one.

Wait a second.

Check out #989 on the list under “girls”.

Apparantly not all couples come to agreement. Well, either that or they figured “Baby” was a great name for their new little bundle of joy.

I’ve always thought people should have to pass a test before they’re allowed to become parents. Even if the test was “name your baby”, and the only incorrect answer was “baby”. At least it would stop all 949 people who named their little girl “baby” from being allowed to procreate.

When I think of excellent photo locations, “grocery store” isn’t a place that comes to mind. Yet, a guy by the name of “Chris” has managed to capture a great looking photo in a local grocery store.

A couple years ago, he took a photo of a set of grocery store shelves/aisles. Sounds simple enough. It turned out to be a very cool photo, or at least it is to me.

It’s mesmerizing, almost. There is so much detail and color, it’s really quite unique.

Anyways, click here to check it out.

Tired of the ugly ceramic piggy bank? Tired of breaking every piggy bank you have just to find out there’s only $1.73 inside? Well this new little gadget may be the solution.

First, it looks pretty damn cool. It’s chrome, not the cheap piece of crap you’re used to seeing. It’s about time we advanced from that old school pink. What guy wants to own a pink piggy bank? Second, you don’t need to break it open to find how much is inside. It also tracks the amount of money you drop into it with it’s electronic counter.

Oh, and it talks to you, too. Pretty cool little gadget, isn’t it?

It’s available here for only $22.99 USD.

This is an actual tsunami… and some guy decides that going surfing is a great idea:

Wow, he must have steel balls to attempt something like that, and then to (I think) pull it off? Simply incredible.