DEAL: Refurbished Apple iPod's

Apple.ca has a deal on right now which gives you a free accessory (your choice) with any purchase of a refurbished Apple iPod. The iPod's start as low as $59CAD. Take a look and see what they have to offer!



For our US viewers, you can get an iPod for as low as $49! Click on the link below:

No heaven?

The latest CMA email to come to me was regarding the use of prayer and its effect on surgical complications. Essentially it comes down to the following: Praying for others doesn't prevent surgery complications.

Intercessory prayer is the act of praying for the well-being of another in an attempt to intercede on their behalf. The researchers conducting this study enrolled 1802 patients who were scheduled for nonemergent coronary artery bypass grafting at 1 of 6 US hospitals. Religious belief was not a criterion for entry, though approximately 80% of the enrolled patients listed a religious affiliation, and 85% of the patients were Christian.

When asked, 65% strongly agreed with the statement, "I believe in spiritual healing." The patients were randomly assigned, using concealed allocation, to 1 of 3 groups. Two groups received intercessory prayer on their behalf, and patients in 1 of these groups were specifically told they would be prayed for. The third group did not receive prayer and were told they may or may not be prayed for. The prayers were provided by 3 Christian groups who were only aware of the patients' first names. Almost all patients believed that friends and relatives would be praying for them (96%).

A total of 54% of all patients experienced at least one complication. Complications occurred in 52.2% of patients who received prayers but didn't know for sure, 50.9% of patients who did not receive prayers but didn't know for sure, and 58.6% of patients who received prayers and knew it (number needed to treat to harm = 14; 95% CI, 7 - 96). Death rates and readmission rates were not different between the groups.

So, the next time your friend says he or she will pray for you before you have an operation, looks like you better tell them you'd rather they not do that.

Reference for the study:
Benson H, Dusek JA, Sherwood JB, et al. Study of the therapeutic effects of intercessory prayer (STEP) in cardiac bypass patients: A multicenter randomized trial of uncertainty and certainty of receiving intercessory prayer. Am Heart J 2006;151:934-942.

Capital Health Smoking Ban

Capital Health banned smoking on their property, including outside the hospital, on October 1, 2005. I thought, hey, this is good, now there won't be cigarette butts all over the hospital property outside and maybe some patients and staff might quit. Oh, how I was wrong.

Everyday when I enter or leave the hospital, there's at least one person smoking on hospital property. Security is even around when they're doing it and they don't say anything. What's the point of implementing a ban if you aren't going to enforce it? It's like letting alcholics drink while they're in rehab. It just doesn't make any sense to allow these people to continue to smoke on hospital property, and if Capital Health was serious about enforcing the ban they'd get security to start telling people that they can't smoke on hospital property instead of ignoring them while they puff away their lives.

The Continuous Birth Control Pill

A rather large topic in obstetrics and gynecology is contraception. There are many forms of contraception available to women today. These include the birth control pill, IUD's, female condom, and others.

One of the more recent methods that has come to the forefront is the continuous birth control pill. According to the Society of Obstetricians and Gynecologists of Canada (SOGC) in their 2004 Canadian Contraception Consensus Guidelines, the continuous use of the birth control pill was first studied in 1977. They states that taking the continuous birth control pill may have a number of advantages including "decreased incidence of pelvic pain, headaches, bloating/swelling, and breast tenderness in women who experience these symptoms during the pill-free interval; improved control over symptoms of endometriosis and polycystic ovarian syndrome (PCOS), and greater convenience due to fewer withdrawal bleeds per year."

According to the SOGC, some disadvantages include "include little information on long-term safety (although there are long-term data for comparable total estrogen-progestin doses per month) and a slightly higher cost for medications (an extra 3 pill packages per year for a 91-day cycle.)"

Further they state "A retrospective study of 267 women who initiated a continuous OC regimen found that 64% of the women continued with this regimen; 86% reported an improvement in their original problem such as headache and dysmenorrhea and 76% reported a high degree of satisfaction.120 The women were counselled to take the combined OC until they experienced breakthrough bleeding, or completed 2 pill packages (42 days), 3 pill packages (63 days), or 4 pill packages (84 days). The mean cycle length was 84 days, with most women choosing a hormone-free interval of 4 to 5 days. Breakthrough bleeding and spotting was a common reason for returning to a 21-day combined OC regimen. It is therefore essential to counsel that breakthrough bleeding will decrease over time.128 The use of a monophasic pill regimen or a 21-day OC regimen prior to extending the cycle128 has been shown to decrease the incidence of breakthrough bleeding when using the extended combined OC regimens. To reduce the incidence of breakthrough bleeding and improve patient satisfaction, women should have minimal side-effects during their 21 hormone days before extending their regimen."

The finally state in their recommendations that "The use of monophasic combined OC preparations continuously for several cycles, without periodic withdrawal, is a reasonable approach to the management of severe dysmenorrhea, menorrhagia, menstrual migraine, or where there is a desire or need to postpone withdrawal bleeding. (Level 1, Level II-2)"

More information to come when I have time to add more links and possible dosing info….

Dell's 14 days of Deals

Dell's Days of Deals are back! Today features the following:

Day 14 (Aug 1):

• Dell Laser Printer 1710 - $99
• Dell UltraSharp 1707FP 17” Flat Panel LCD Monitor w/Height Adjusting Stand - $179
• Sanyo Compact Cube 1.7 cu. ft. Dorm Fridge - $89
• Sony DCRHC36 MiniDV Camcorder - $439
• Logitech EX110 Wireless Keyboard and Mouse - $29
• Duracell 90W Auto/Air Adapter for Select Dell Notebooks - $69

Day 13 (July 31):

• APC Back-UPS ES 725 Broadband - $49
• Garmin Nuvi 350 Pocket or Vehicle GPS Navigator with Integrated MP3 Player and Photo Viewer - $699
• Creative Labs Prodikeys PC-MIDI USB Music and PC Keyboard in One - $39
• Logitech QuickCam for Notebooks Deluxe - $39
• Kingston 1GB SD Memory Card - $29
• SKB Rugged Notebook Case - Military Standard - $99

Day 13 (July 30):

• Harmony 880 Internet Programmable Universal Remote with Rechargeable Battery - $129
• Dell 2400MP Projector - $999
• Dell W4201C 42” High Definition Plasma TV - $2399
• Notebook Expansion Dock with Video and Audio Ports - $139
• APC Back-UPS ES 500 VA UPS w/ Phone Protection - $39
• Cowon Audio A2 - Digital AV player - HD 20 GB - $349

Day 12 (July 29):

• Dell E177FP 17” Flat Panel Color Display - $159
• Dell UltraSharp 2007FP Flat Panel with Height Adjustable Stand - $379
• Delphi Roady XT XM Satellite Radio Receiver Kit - $69
• USB Flip w/Remote Button & Audio Support - $49
• External USB 2.0 TV Tuner with Remote - $59

Day 11 (July 28):

• Creative Labs 30 GB Zen Vision: M MP3 Player Black w/FM Tuner - $279
• Creative Labs 8 GB Zen MicroPhoto MP3 Player - Black - $199
• Philips HN110 Noise Cancelling Foldable Headphones - $39
• Solar Style SC002 Portable Solar Charger for Cell Phones, MP3 Players, Cameras and other Electronics - $39
• Dell 5650 5.1 Speaker System w/ Subwoofer - $59
• DiscGear Selector 100FX 100-Disc - $29

Day 10 (July 27):

• Dell W2607 26” HD LCD TV - $849
• Dell W3706C 37” HD LCD TV - $1799
• Xbox 360 Gaming Console Bundle - Includes 2 Wireless Controllers, Project Gotham Racing 3 - $499
• Cable ZEN 6.6 ft (2m) HDMI Digital Audio/Video Cable - $29
• Sanyo VPC-C6 6.0MP Digital Camera & Movie Camcorder - $499
• Philips HTS5500 900W Home Theatre System - $199

Day 9 ( July 26):

• Iomega 320GB 7200RPM USB 2.0 External Hard Drive - Silver Series - $149 plus $20 mail-in rebate
• Targus CityGear Chicago Backpack and USB Numeric Keypad - Dell-Exclusive Bundle - $39
• Sanyo 5.8-GHz Digital Multi-Handset/Cordless Telephone with CID and Two Handsets - $69
• IOGear USB Optical Calling Mouse (built-in microphone) - $19
• StarTech 4 Port USB 2.0 Mini Hub - $14
• Master Lock Universal Notebook Security Cable - $35

Day 7 (Monday July 25):

• Dell UltraSharp 2007WFP 20” Widescreen LCD w/Height Adjustable Stand - $399
• Dell UltraSharp 2407FPW 24” Widescreen LCD w/Height Adjustable Stand - $769
• D-Link DGS-1005D 5-Port 10/100/1000 Gigabit Switch - $29
• NEC MultiSync LCD3210 31.5” LCD Display - $1799
• Metallic Blue Graphire4 6x8 Pen Graphics Tablet - $149
• 48W 6-Cell Seconday Battery (D-Series) - $99

Day 6 (Monday July 24):

• Linksys WRT54GL Wireless-G Broadband Router (Linux Compatible) - $49
• TrendNET Wireless G Advanced Pan & Tilt Camera - $149
• Logitech Premium USB Headset 350 w/Microphone - $29
• D-Link PersonalAir DBT-122 - Bluetooth Network adapter - $24
• Belkin SurgeMaster Gold 9-Outlet Surge Protector with 10 Feet Cord - $19
• MS Student 2006 w/ Encarta Premium and Learning Essentials (DVD Version) - $49

Day 5 (Sunday July 23):

• Slingbox Personal TV Broadcaster - $179
• Dell 1110 Laser Printer - $79
• Dell 1200MP DLP Projector - $599
• SlingLink Powerline Ethernet Adapter - $79
• Finepix S5200 5MP Mega-Zoom Digital Camera - $299
• 512MB Dell DJ Ditty Flash MP3 Player - $49

Day 4 (Saturday July 22):

• Dell W3201C High-Definition LCD TV - $1349 ($300 off)
• Dell W2306C High-Definition LCD TV - $649 ($250 off)
• Philips HTS3400 700 Watt DVD Home Theater System - $99 ($90 off)
• SANPFPL Three Shelf TV Stand - $189 ($110 off)
• Sony DCRDVD105 DVD HandyCam Camcorder - $549 ($100 off)
• 2GB Memory Stick PRO Duo Media - $99 ($30 off)

Day 3:

• Dell Axim X51v, 624MHz Processor, VGA, Integrated 802.11b and Bluetooth Wireless - $369
• IOGear Wireless Bluetooth Headphones & Microphone - $79
• Kingston Elite Pro 2GB SD Card - $49
• FinePix A510 Digital Camera - $189
• Z22 Handheld - $99
• 200 GB 7200 RPM Barracuda 7200.9 Ultra ATA/100 Internal Hard Drive - $79

Day 2:

• Dell UltraSharp 1907FP 19” Flat Panel LCD Monitor w/Height Adjusting Stand - $249
• Dell E196FP 19-inch Flat Panel LCD Monitor - $219
• Kensington PilotMouse Wireless Laser Mouse - $29
• LX Arm with Constant Force (CF) - $119
• Verto GeForce 6600 256MB DDR 8X AGP Graphics Card - $99
• Stylus Photo R220 Inkjet Printer - $99

Shipping is free!

Day 1:

• Belkin Wireless Desktop 130 - $19
• Kodak EasyShare C533 5MP, 3x Optical Zoom Digital Camera - $149
• Discovery 640 Bluetooth Headset - $69
• Kingston 2GB CompactFlash Elite Pro Card - $69
• Kingston USB 2.0 15-in-1 Memory Card Reader - $17
• Sanyo CLT E40 Digital Slide-to-Open Cordless Phone with Caller ID - $79

Shipping is free on all products!

Dell Days of Deals are back - From June 19 - August 1st

Uh, Oilers, you're killing me.

It's been an uninspiring off season for the Oilers after their remarkable playoff run. Although I should be studying right now, I'm compelled to write this and get it out of the way. I'm just shocked about how many players just don't want to be in Edmonton. It's not even about the money. They just don't want to be here. What's the deal with that eh?

Who won't be back:
Chris Pronger - Damn you, Pronger, damn you. Who else in a regular job can sign a contract for 5 years then say, sorry, I don't like it here, send me to another company. No one. This one wasn't the Oilers fault, but I would have made him play out the rest of the 4 years on his contract to prove a point.

George Laraque - Signed a 2 year deal with Phoenix today after the Oilers wouldn't give him a no-trade clause. Although the Oilers really won't miss his lack of offence, they'll miss his presense in the dressing room and his fighting ability (although he rarely fights anymore.)

Jaroslav Spacek - Like Pronger, he apparently didn't want to stick around in Edmonton anymore. He signed a deal with Buffalo today. Our second-best defenseman gone.

Michael Peca - Wants to go back to the east. Great in the playoffs. Provides leadership. Won't be back.

Sergei Samsonov - Also wants to go back to the east....why does everyone love the east so much...

Radek Dvorak - He was a super fast skater but never scored as much as he should have. Just didn't have the finish. He also doesn't want to be back in Edmonton.

Unsure -- Dick Tarnstrom, Todd Harvey, Igor Ulanov (Oilers might be stuck signing him...because there's no one else!)

Oilers lineup for 2006/7:

So where does that leave us with what we know so far? Here's my guess:

First Line: Smyth - Horcoff - Hemsky
Second Line: Pisani - Stoll - Lupul
Third Line: Jacques- Pouliot - Shremp
Fourth: Winchester - Reasoner - Moureau

Defensive pairings:
First: Smith - Staois
Second: Greene - Bergeron
Third: Syvret - Smid

What will the Oilers do next:
The Oilers are stacked with draft picks and lots of up and coming talent in the forwards. I say they rid themselves of some potential for a couple of proven defensemen.

And that's all folks.

A few of my favourite things...

Here are a few of my favourite things...

Favourite Radio Station
It's got to be Sonic 102.9. I love Garner Andrews as a morning radio host. I've said it before and I'll say it again, Sonic plays at least 2x as much music in the morning and way less commercials than any other radio station in Edmonton. They've got fun contests that I actually like listening to, and they play awesome music. Although they don't do so well in the overall Edmonton radio station ratings, I believe they rated the highest in the 18-25 age category, which most marketers focus their attention on.

Favourite Comedy TV Show
I loved Arrested Development, but it sadly got cancelled this year due to poor ratings despite it's critical acclaim. The one show that I cannot miss now is The Office. I have almost every episode on my computer and I never get sick of watching them. I heard that The Office doesn't pull in great ratings either, but the average income of the people watching it is something pretty riduculous, so I guess NBC doesn't have a problem keeping it on with those demographics. I've tried watching the original BBC version of The Office, but I just don't understand half the jokes or terminology...I guess you have to be from the UK to get them.

Favourite News Show
I used to love CNN. Now it's become as sensationalist as Fox News. CBC has got some decent news going on when they don't become too political, but the best "news show" that is on right now is the Daily Show with Jon Stewart. He's funny, has a ton of common sense, and stays away from judging everything as left or right wing.

More to come...

Dell's Tuesday Report

Dell.ca has some good deals on today only in their Tuesday Report.

There's a couple of PDA's and 2 laptops on sale:

• Dell Axim X51 416Mhz - $259
• Palm Tungsten E2 Handheld - $189
• Platronics CS50 Wireless Office Headset System - $199

Dell Inspiron XPS M1210 - $1399
Intel Core Duo Processor T2300E (1.66GHz/667MHz FSB)
12.1 inch Wide Screen WXGA LCD Panel
Genuine Windows XP Professional
2GB, 533MHz 2 Dimm RAM
100GB 5400RPM SATA Hard Drive 8x CD/DVD burner (DVD+/-RW) with double-layer DVD+R write capability Intel PRO/Wireless 3945 Mini Card (802.11 a/g, 54Mbps)

Dell Latitude D420 - $1499
Intel Core Solo U1300 (1.06GHz, 533Mhz)
12.1 inch Wide Screen WXGA LCD Panel
Genuine Windows XP Professional, SP2, with media
Free Upgrade to 1GB DDR2 SDRAM
30GB Hard Drive, 8MM, 4200RPM D-Bay
24X CD-RW/DVD w/ Cyberlink PowerDVD Intel® 3945
802.11a/g Dual-Band Mini Card

You can get it all here: The Tuesday Report

Esks sign Joe Montford

After the embarrasing loss to the Winnipeg Bluebombers on Saturday night, the Edmonton Eskimos have signed former All-star defensive end Joe Montford. As you may know, the Eskimo's cut Montford during the off-season, suposedly for salary cap reasons (but when have the Esks ever followed the cap?).

The Esks D has been torn up this year, especially by opposing running backs. Last year the defense was dominant, and Montford was probably the Esks most dominant player. I'm looking forward seeing Montford back in the lineup on Friday and hope Maciocia realizes that getting rid of all your veteran players isn't a good thing and doesn't lead to success.

Chris Pronger traded to the Ducks

The Edmonton Oilers traded Chris Pronger to the Anaheim Ducks for Joffrey Lupul, Ladislav Smid, Anaheim's first round pick in 2007, and a conditional first round pick in 2008 and their second round pick in 2008.

I think the Oilers should have got some more proven players in any trade for Pronger, especially an experienced defenceman. When you think about it, Pronger played almost 30 minutes every game. If they don't sign Spacek, I don't know who's going to play all those extra minutes. I'm not keen on Bergeron or Greene, and I don't think there are many high quality D-men (and certainly no one of Pronger's ability) left as free agents.

On a good note, Lupul made $900,000 last year (but is now a restricted free agent), while Pronger made $6.25 million, so you would think the Oilers would have quite a bit of cash to sign some UFA's or make a trade to get another high quality defenceman or forward.