Merry Merriment Season!
Uh-huh...Christmas, people!; It's called Christmas!
I was pleased to read in the local papers that MLA Grewal stood up and chided the baaa-ing masses for failing to respect the religious rights and freedoms of an ignored and downbeaten (or at least downplayed) culture; to wit: Christianity.
Honestly, do the PC people have NO shame?? "The December Experience" what the Fooker is THAT? Some kind of tribute band?
So lets hear a Merry li'l Christmas, a Joyeux Noel, and a hearty Feliz Navidad out there!!!
I am OFF work the entire week and what a start I have made!!!
Finally got rid of that huge pile of refuse in the driveway (I got tired of being known as the Neighborhood Eyesore). I promised Laurie it would go before Xmas, and go it did...with a little help from my Father In Law. (hmm, a LOT of help actually - he did the second load himself rather than make the round-trip back to our place a second time).
THEN I finished my Xmas shopping for Laurie. (who else do I shop for?)
THEN I took the kids out to see "Treasure Planet" at the cheep theatres.
THEN I went out again and got Mickey D's for the entire fam...I'm broke now, but happy.
Laurie even told me she loved me...hubba hubba!
Laurie joined the Cantata Choir in November, and the whole fam damily came out for the performance. Other than my Mom in Law being firmly clenched the whole time (she doesn't DO churches), a wonderful time was had by all. We even got a good CD of the performance and Laurie commented that she thought they sound a lot better on disc than live on the stage. They sounded fantastic on stage; I know, I was there. Kevin didn't show; "too many righteous people" - truer words 'e never spoke (and may never again, bless 'im!)
Speaking of the Cantata: I saw Gloria McGovern again...and L wuz furrious...
Gloria is the quintessential "Grrrlfriend" from my checkered past. Seriously, we never got serious...except to discuss how we each really felt we wanted to be married - but not to each other! G is studying Civil Engineering at SAIT in Calgary (where we will NEVER move as long as L is alive). I should get her Don's Email, and mebbe Karen's.
Speaking of old friends, Jared Watson and Paula (nee De Jesus) are up with their kids visiting the folks. He's still the same guy we knew and loved back in third branch, and she is still the same beautifully willowy young thing she was then as well...ok, with a little more mileage, granted, but I still think Jared is one lucky guy!
He-LLOOOOO Global Warming! The almanac predicted a dry winter this year, and to be sure, we haven't had even a little snow. We had a winter like this one several years ago and it finally cut loose the day before Xmas (I remember, because I had to go to work and I was one of the few who actually made it on time). May give it a miss this year. We are forecasting a lot of rain, but no snow. I AM canadian, I suffer withdrawl when there's no White Christmas.
We are going to be hosting the immediate WORLD (Dallman edition) on Xmas Eve...and then doing it all over again Boxing Day (Sanderson edition). Hope the party ice holds out...
Monday, December 23, 2002
Saturday, September 14, 2002
Well, it looks like our brethren to the south are gonna be playing Globe-o-Cop again...
Honestly, would the US 'national security' suffer THAT much if they simply brought all the troops home and let the Middle East (and surrounding hotspots) go to hell their own way? I think not. Right now, Uncle Sammy's sons and daughters are spread verrry thin throughout the globe, they do NOT need to be sent into another war zone...
...particularily when it isn't necessary.
Let's look back on some history, shall we?
Wayyyy back about 25 years ago, a country that used to be Persia was in trouble. The Shah of Iran (unpopular due to economic and social troubles) was deposed by an Islamic Fundamentalist regime (hey, any revolution will do...). There was some unpleasantness with some overzealous U of Tehran students and an American Embassy - a long, drawn out hostage drama. The hostages were eventually freed. Coincidentally, Iran started a pissing match with its neighbor, Iraq. Something along the line of: we're pure and holy Sons of Islam and you're just a bunch of Pro-Western suck-up pussies! To which Iraq replied, in effect: that may be, but we're still gonna kick your ass if you try anything!
War ensued (hey, with neighborly dialogue like that, it was inevitable -- Imagine! Going to war over who hates Israel more!)
Now, the US postition in all of this was...interesting.
On the one hand, the US has always understood the Muslim principle that "the enemy of mine enemy is my friend". So while Iraq was fighting with Iran, the US kinda sat in the background and softly cheered "yaaaaayy.......go get 'em". On the other hand, Iran had been holding US citizens hostage...so Pres. Reagan sent them a few "goodwill gifts" - arms shipments that were subsequently used in the war with Iraq.
Did the Iraqis get some mixed messages from the US? Start having some doubts maybe? (well, possibly...)
Iraq by that time had JUST started making some serious coin from its (finally!) home grown petrochemical industry. So after the war with their belligerent neighbor was over, the time looked right for a massive economic re-build. Then the newly trained geology grads from their newly built universities made a discovery...
The Emirate of Kuwait was slant drilling into the Iraqi oil fields...
I can imagine Mr. Saddam Hussein was a little miffed by this, after all, Iraq had just taken on their larger neighbor and fought to a draw. He wasn't about to let a pissant little pseudo-nation like Kuwait start stealing the resources his people needed for that aforementioned economic facelift.
I admit, I'm a little fuzzy on the details of what happened next. Did Mr. Hussein send a letter of protest to Kuwait? To the US? To the UN? With an uneasy truce in place with Iran and a sometime Superpower ally in the US he had to be careful. Whatever he tried initially apparently did not work, because the military option was brought to the table in pretty short order.
The US dropped the ball.
They sent a female non-entity to discuss the situation with Mr. Hussein. Whether this was planned or accidental is uncertain. What is certain is that this...woman and Mr. Hussein were having two very different discussions. I have no idea what she was instructed to say on behalf of the US, but what Mr. Hussein HEARD was that the US "would not wish to become involved in any kind of military action by Iraq against Kuwait". What she probably meant to say was the US would not CONDONE such, but what Mr. Hussein heard was that" 'Ol Uncle Sam is going to sit this one out, you are free to go ahead and take back your oil."
So he did.
There was IMMEDIATE agitation in the Western Press by the Kuwaiti Government-in-Exile. Stories of atrocities by Iraqi soldiers were printed - one story in particular got the hawks in George the First's cabinet rattling their sabres. This story was later shown to be false - or at least unproven and from VERY unreliable sources. The story that Iraqi soldiers had gone to the natal ward in a Kuwait City Hospital and dumped all the premature infants out of the incubators, then took the incubators away and shipped them back to Bhagdad. I'm not saying that atrocities weren't commited - this WAS a war, after all - but this one; the key to getting the US to kick off what became Desert Sheild; apparently didn't happen.
Which brings us up to the current decade: Iraq's army got it's butt kicked by a multinational coalition (the same army that held the line against their - single! - larger neighbor). Upon hearing unfounded rumors that Iraq had a chemical and biological weapons program in place, the UN sent in CIA shills to find these "weapons of Mass Destruction". They didn't find them. The US (and UN) slapped a trade embargo on Iraq for their lack of 'cooperation' with the UN snoops. And the Iraqi economic re-build plans got placed on permanent hold.
Now, the US is going to bomb 'em back to the Stone Age because...why? Oh yes! They support "TERRORISM". Terrorism is responsible for killing 3000plus US citizens at the WTC last year, you know. (Did you also know that number represents about 1 tenth of the people who were in the WTC at the time of the attack, and that number could have been further reduced if a special interest group with a gripe against the asbestos industry - and a class action lawsuit - had only laid off long enough for...ah, skip it!)
A couple of points:
One: no one REALLY knows who was ultimately responsible for the WTC attack. Mr. Osama Bin Laden and his Al Quaeda fighters claimed responsibility for it - thereby painting a huge bullseye on his head and bringing down punitive attacks on Afghanistan by the US military (They had to DO something, after all).
Two: the only thing Iraq has to do with this particular crisis is that it happened when George Bush was president. Dubya's daddy evidently didn't finish the job, so George II is gonna go and kick some raghead ass...
Personally, I don't LIKE Mr. Hussein, he's only in power because he's had everyone smarter than him (read: potential threat of overthrow) executed; this includes members of his own extended family. But I DO think the Iraqi people got a raw deal...
Honestly, would the US 'national security' suffer THAT much if they simply brought all the troops home and let the Middle East (and surrounding hotspots) go to hell their own way? I think not. Right now, Uncle Sammy's sons and daughters are spread verrry thin throughout the globe, they do NOT need to be sent into another war zone...
...particularily when it isn't necessary.
Let's look back on some history, shall we?
Wayyyy back about 25 years ago, a country that used to be Persia was in trouble. The Shah of Iran (unpopular due to economic and social troubles) was deposed by an Islamic Fundamentalist regime (hey, any revolution will do...). There was some unpleasantness with some overzealous U of Tehran students and an American Embassy - a long, drawn out hostage drama. The hostages were eventually freed. Coincidentally, Iran started a pissing match with its neighbor, Iraq. Something along the line of: we're pure and holy Sons of Islam and you're just a bunch of Pro-Western suck-up pussies! To which Iraq replied, in effect: that may be, but we're still gonna kick your ass if you try anything!
War ensued (hey, with neighborly dialogue like that, it was inevitable -- Imagine! Going to war over who hates Israel more!)
Now, the US postition in all of this was...interesting.
On the one hand, the US has always understood the Muslim principle that "the enemy of mine enemy is my friend". So while Iraq was fighting with Iran, the US kinda sat in the background and softly cheered "yaaaaayy.......go get 'em". On the other hand, Iran had been holding US citizens hostage...so Pres. Reagan sent them a few "goodwill gifts" - arms shipments that were subsequently used in the war with Iraq.
Did the Iraqis get some mixed messages from the US? Start having some doubts maybe? (well, possibly...)
Iraq by that time had JUST started making some serious coin from its (finally!) home grown petrochemical industry. So after the war with their belligerent neighbor was over, the time looked right for a massive economic re-build. Then the newly trained geology grads from their newly built universities made a discovery...
The Emirate of Kuwait was slant drilling into the Iraqi oil fields...
I can imagine Mr. Saddam Hussein was a little miffed by this, after all, Iraq had just taken on their larger neighbor and fought to a draw. He wasn't about to let a pissant little pseudo-nation like Kuwait start stealing the resources his people needed for that aforementioned economic facelift.
I admit, I'm a little fuzzy on the details of what happened next. Did Mr. Hussein send a letter of protest to Kuwait? To the US? To the UN? With an uneasy truce in place with Iran and a sometime Superpower ally in the US he had to be careful. Whatever he tried initially apparently did not work, because the military option was brought to the table in pretty short order.
The US dropped the ball.
They sent a female non-entity to discuss the situation with Mr. Hussein. Whether this was planned or accidental is uncertain. What is certain is that this...woman and Mr. Hussein were having two very different discussions. I have no idea what she was instructed to say on behalf of the US, but what Mr. Hussein HEARD was that the US "would not wish to become involved in any kind of military action by Iraq against Kuwait". What she probably meant to say was the US would not CONDONE such, but what Mr. Hussein heard was that" 'Ol Uncle Sam is going to sit this one out, you are free to go ahead and take back your oil."
So he did.
There was IMMEDIATE agitation in the Western Press by the Kuwaiti Government-in-Exile. Stories of atrocities by Iraqi soldiers were printed - one story in particular got the hawks in George the First's cabinet rattling their sabres. This story was later shown to be false - or at least unproven and from VERY unreliable sources. The story that Iraqi soldiers had gone to the natal ward in a Kuwait City Hospital and dumped all the premature infants out of the incubators, then took the incubators away and shipped them back to Bhagdad. I'm not saying that atrocities weren't commited - this WAS a war, after all - but this one; the key to getting the US to kick off what became Desert Sheild; apparently didn't happen.
Which brings us up to the current decade: Iraq's army got it's butt kicked by a multinational coalition (the same army that held the line against their - single! - larger neighbor). Upon hearing unfounded rumors that Iraq had a chemical and biological weapons program in place, the UN sent in CIA shills to find these "weapons of Mass Destruction". They didn't find them. The US (and UN) slapped a trade embargo on Iraq for their lack of 'cooperation' with the UN snoops. And the Iraqi economic re-build plans got placed on permanent hold.
Now, the US is going to bomb 'em back to the Stone Age because...why? Oh yes! They support "TERRORISM". Terrorism is responsible for killing 3000plus US citizens at the WTC last year, you know. (Did you also know that number represents about 1 tenth of the people who were in the WTC at the time of the attack, and that number could have been further reduced if a special interest group with a gripe against the asbestos industry - and a class action lawsuit - had only laid off long enough for...ah, skip it!)
A couple of points:
One: no one REALLY knows who was ultimately responsible for the WTC attack. Mr. Osama Bin Laden and his Al Quaeda fighters claimed responsibility for it - thereby painting a huge bullseye on his head and bringing down punitive attacks on Afghanistan by the US military (They had to DO something, after all).
Two: the only thing Iraq has to do with this particular crisis is that it happened when George Bush was president. Dubya's daddy evidently didn't finish the job, so George II is gonna go and kick some raghead ass...
Personally, I don't LIKE Mr. Hussein, he's only in power because he's had everyone smarter than him (read: potential threat of overthrow) executed; this includes members of his own extended family. But I DO think the Iraqi people got a raw deal...
Tuesday, September 03, 2002
Anybody remember the Red Menace?
The Red Menace was the greatest threat ever to Our Way of Life.
The Red Menace was bent on World Domination.
The Red Menace was going to confiscate your property, your firearms, and your books.
The Red Menace was going to restrict your travel, your speech, and your religion.
The Red Menace was going to take your children and indoctrinate them against your values and principles.
The Red Menace was going to censor the information you recieved about the world around you; feeding you only its propaganda and eliminating any opposing viewpoint.
The Red Menace censored all media in the countries it controlled by way of loyal management and editorial staff who ensured that the party line was followed
The Red Menace was going to invade and intrude on every aspect of your life. You would have no privacy, no confidantes, no secrets.
The Red Menace would sieze your financial records, record your telephone conversations and intercept your correspondence.
The Red Menace spent almost as much time and resources spying on its own citizens as it did spying on the rest of the World.
The Red Menace was going to pluck people off the street, ship them off to isolated prison camps, and hold them incommunicado without due process.
The Red Menace insisted that its 'work' would not be finished until the entire World was united as one Global Collective, with a single government.
The Red Menace was the determined enemy of free enterprise and entepreneurship, only 'collective', centrally-controlled economies were to be permitted.
The Red Menace did not allow Wealth.
The Red Menace did not allow Competition.
The Red Menace did not allow Freedom of Choice.
The Red Menace did not allow the Rule of Law: its power was the only Law.
The Red Menace ruthlessly punished all who opposed it and threatened its interests.
The Red Menace did not trust (or allow) its own citizens to think for themselves.
The Red Menace preached peace and goodwill, but brought war and destruction everywhere it went.
The Red Menace stood ready to use Weapons of Mass Destruction against any nation or alliance that dared to oppose it militarily.
Freedom Loving Patriots had to constantly be on guard against The Red Menace.
The Red Menace was the greatest threat ever to Our Way of Life.
The Red Menace was bent on World Domination.
The Red Menace was going to confiscate your property, your firearms, and your books.
The Red Menace was going to restrict your travel, your speech, and your religion.
The Red Menace was going to take your children and indoctrinate them against your values and principles.
The Red Menace was going to censor the information you recieved about the world around you; feeding you only its propaganda and eliminating any opposing viewpoint.
The Red Menace censored all media in the countries it controlled by way of loyal management and editorial staff who ensured that the party line was followed
The Red Menace was going to invade and intrude on every aspect of your life. You would have no privacy, no confidantes, no secrets.
The Red Menace would sieze your financial records, record your telephone conversations and intercept your correspondence.
The Red Menace spent almost as much time and resources spying on its own citizens as it did spying on the rest of the World.
The Red Menace was going to pluck people off the street, ship them off to isolated prison camps, and hold them incommunicado without due process.
The Red Menace insisted that its 'work' would not be finished until the entire World was united as one Global Collective, with a single government.
The Red Menace was the determined enemy of free enterprise and entepreneurship, only 'collective', centrally-controlled economies were to be permitted.
The Red Menace did not allow Wealth.
The Red Menace did not allow Competition.
The Red Menace did not allow Freedom of Choice.
The Red Menace did not allow the Rule of Law: its power was the only Law.
The Red Menace ruthlessly punished all who opposed it and threatened its interests.
The Red Menace did not trust (or allow) its own citizens to think for themselves.
The Red Menace preached peace and goodwill, but brought war and destruction everywhere it went.
The Red Menace stood ready to use Weapons of Mass Destruction against any nation or alliance that dared to oppose it militarily.
Freedom Loving Patriots had to constantly be on guard against The Red Menace.
Monday, August 19, 2002
...And now for our latest issue!
Vacation Time!
Penticton was a blast, as always...got to do everything I wanted to do, except float down the canal to Skaha Beach. Oh well, it will still be there next year.
I DID however, get to: Dance with my wife, Swim in the Pool, see the SS Sicamous, Explore, play some mini-golf with the kids, fly a kite, watch some movies, party, eat junk food, learn the proper way to pit and peel a peach, eat some fine Italian cuisine, find some very nice little shops downtown, and price a new TV set to replace ours which blew up. I also got to draw up a few entries for the company logo contest (I hope I win). The only downsides were the kids getting sick for the first day or three, and Danielle's complaint about the sleeping arrangements. Everybody but Laurie had to share a room...and even she and I were 'sharing' -- we had what I believe was the only nookie in the place all week! Which is probably what Danny was REALLY steamed about. If Dan and Clayton want to trade rooms for next year, they are more than welcome...They can HAVE the closet-ette and kiddie size drawers and no air conditioning...
Personally, I think Laurie and I will simply make other arrangements for accomodation. We'll have to anyway. Or perhaps Dan and Clayton will, owing how they will still be 'honeymooning' by the time Penticton rolls around next year.
Other Accomodation: may mean getting a trailer and a new(er) vehicle to haul it with. I should start on it soon, because the Tracker ain't getting any younger, and I don't believe it will survive another winter in it's current condition. A trailer may actually be the more difficult part, we could end up borrowing it from someone else. Then we camp out on someone's lawn for the week we are in Penticton.
Mom's business:
Is her own business, but she has worked out a budget for it and bought (with my help) some really good gear to run it with. She is setting herself up as a Forensic Geneologist. She's excited - got 'er juice back! She's also a little dismayed by Dad's upcoming tantrum over the expense of all the stuff she bought.
Kwy is probably going to be upset that I didn't let HIM sell mom her computer. Well, the prices he quoted were good, but I think DELL provided a better product at a price we would have difficulty matching. Raj Kumar is coming back from Fiji in a few weeks, he'll probably want to buy his new system then. That should help KWY feel better.
Work:
Is work. I have again been loaned out to the Central Stock division; which is nice. We had the LAST company barbeque at 'ol 504. Next year at the new building! Speaking of the new building, the construction is complete and the interior is being fit and wired. We start the moving process in about a month or so. Xmas will probably be run entirely from the new building -- expect chaos unless we ALL stay on top of things. The management company at 504 doesn't want to buy the racking -- so we're taking it with us. The process to empty out the outlying zones of rack has already begun. Gonna be REAL busy soon.
Bicycles:
I thought for sure the freewheel body was GONE on the HG cassette I had. Turns out the chain is very worn. As I have some spare chains, this was an easy fix - and didn't cost me anything! I will be taking the bike out for a shakedown later today and we'll see if the fix works as advertised. I have to fit the lights to the Norco if I want to ride back home tonight (tomorrow morning). I am on close-up at work this week and my departure time puts me out of sync for the bus and a ride home...so, either I take the car, or I have to ride both ways - and ride home in the dark; scary!
Vacation Time!
Penticton was a blast, as always...got to do everything I wanted to do, except float down the canal to Skaha Beach. Oh well, it will still be there next year.
I DID however, get to: Dance with my wife, Swim in the Pool, see the SS Sicamous, Explore, play some mini-golf with the kids, fly a kite, watch some movies, party, eat junk food, learn the proper way to pit and peel a peach, eat some fine Italian cuisine, find some very nice little shops downtown, and price a new TV set to replace ours which blew up. I also got to draw up a few entries for the company logo contest (I hope I win). The only downsides were the kids getting sick for the first day or three, and Danielle's complaint about the sleeping arrangements. Everybody but Laurie had to share a room...and even she and I were 'sharing' -- we had what I believe was the only nookie in the place all week! Which is probably what Danny was REALLY steamed about. If Dan and Clayton want to trade rooms for next year, they are more than welcome...They can HAVE the closet-ette and kiddie size drawers and no air conditioning...
Personally, I think Laurie and I will simply make other arrangements for accomodation. We'll have to anyway. Or perhaps Dan and Clayton will, owing how they will still be 'honeymooning' by the time Penticton rolls around next year.
Other Accomodation: may mean getting a trailer and a new(er) vehicle to haul it with. I should start on it soon, because the Tracker ain't getting any younger, and I don't believe it will survive another winter in it's current condition. A trailer may actually be the more difficult part, we could end up borrowing it from someone else. Then we camp out on someone's lawn for the week we are in Penticton.
Mom's business:
Is her own business, but she has worked out a budget for it and bought (with my help) some really good gear to run it with. She is setting herself up as a Forensic Geneologist. She's excited - got 'er juice back! She's also a little dismayed by Dad's upcoming tantrum over the expense of all the stuff she bought.
Kwy is probably going to be upset that I didn't let HIM sell mom her computer. Well, the prices he quoted were good, but I think DELL provided a better product at a price we would have difficulty matching. Raj Kumar is coming back from Fiji in a few weeks, he'll probably want to buy his new system then. That should help KWY feel better.
Work:
Is work. I have again been loaned out to the Central Stock division; which is nice. We had the LAST company barbeque at 'ol 504. Next year at the new building! Speaking of the new building, the construction is complete and the interior is being fit and wired. We start the moving process in about a month or so. Xmas will probably be run entirely from the new building -- expect chaos unless we ALL stay on top of things. The management company at 504 doesn't want to buy the racking -- so we're taking it with us. The process to empty out the outlying zones of rack has already begun. Gonna be REAL busy soon.
Bicycles:
I thought for sure the freewheel body was GONE on the HG cassette I had. Turns out the chain is very worn. As I have some spare chains, this was an easy fix - and didn't cost me anything! I will be taking the bike out for a shakedown later today and we'll see if the fix works as advertised. I have to fit the lights to the Norco if I want to ride back home tonight (tomorrow morning). I am on close-up at work this week and my departure time puts me out of sync for the bus and a ride home...so, either I take the car, or I have to ride both ways - and ride home in the dark; scary!
Saturday, August 03, 2002
Ok, let's start with the highlights:
Kwy's Wedding.
John Coad (old mutual friend) told me that he had phoned Hell and it was still 200 degrees down there...ha ha ha.
Seriously; am I the ONLY one who held out hope that KWY would get married some day?? Having finally met the blushing bride the day of the wedding, I can only confirm my initial opinion first voiced when I saw her picture; "definitely worth waiting for". Of course, what she sees in HIM, we can only wonder.
Anyway, the wedding/reception/dance went well and KWY and Bride are in the Gulf Islands enjoying the Newlywed Effect...
KWY's Stag Party.
KWY felt sorry that I wasn't able to go to Fraga, so he arranged a little LAN party of his own in the amply spacious basement of his new place in Clearbrook. Nine guests and ten systems showed up. We played TA and Half-life...I remember starting the half life tourney at about 3am and then looking out the window a short time later - it was DAYLIGHT!...and my butt hurt from the chair I had been glued to for the past 2.5 hours. I know I'm too old to stay up all night playing deathgames and bingeing on pizza, but it's nice to go back once in a while to the heady, foolish days of my mis-spent youth. Other highlight of the Stag was the presence of Donovan and Wife Sheila. In BC to visit family, they accepted KWY's invite to the party - cool!
My 36th birthday...halfway to my "threescore and twelve". Bogdan baked me a Bavarian Cake! What a nice surprise!
My weight.
I finally fixed my goal at 192 pounds. I started at 251, and I am presently just under 215. I lose a half-pound every time I ride the bike to work...which I am gonna miss out on this week.
My Vacation.
I finally got my vacation schedule straightened out (not a moment too soon). Took care of the Benefit Plan Enrolement at work as well.
We're going to PENTICTON!!! A little sun, a little Golf, See the sights, Swim, Shop...should be fun. Laurie expects me to dance with her...a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.
Oh, and I will take the time to get some writing done...although not HERE...
Kwy's Wedding.
John Coad (old mutual friend) told me that he had phoned Hell and it was still 200 degrees down there...ha ha ha.
Seriously; am I the ONLY one who held out hope that KWY would get married some day?? Having finally met the blushing bride the day of the wedding, I can only confirm my initial opinion first voiced when I saw her picture; "definitely worth waiting for". Of course, what she sees in HIM, we can only wonder.
Anyway, the wedding/reception/dance went well and KWY and Bride are in the Gulf Islands enjoying the Newlywed Effect...
KWY's Stag Party.
KWY felt sorry that I wasn't able to go to Fraga, so he arranged a little LAN party of his own in the amply spacious basement of his new place in Clearbrook. Nine guests and ten systems showed up. We played TA and Half-life...I remember starting the half life tourney at about 3am and then looking out the window a short time later - it was DAYLIGHT!...and my butt hurt from the chair I had been glued to for the past 2.5 hours. I know I'm too old to stay up all night playing deathgames and bingeing on pizza, but it's nice to go back once in a while to the heady, foolish days of my mis-spent youth. Other highlight of the Stag was the presence of Donovan and Wife Sheila. In BC to visit family, they accepted KWY's invite to the party - cool!
My 36th birthday...halfway to my "threescore and twelve". Bogdan baked me a Bavarian Cake! What a nice surprise!
My weight.
I finally fixed my goal at 192 pounds. I started at 251, and I am presently just under 215. I lose a half-pound every time I ride the bike to work...which I am gonna miss out on this week.
My Vacation.
I finally got my vacation schedule straightened out (not a moment too soon). Took care of the Benefit Plan Enrolement at work as well.
We're going to PENTICTON!!! A little sun, a little Golf, See the sights, Swim, Shop...should be fun. Laurie expects me to dance with her...a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do.
Oh, and I will take the time to get some writing done...although not HERE...
Thursday, July 04, 2002
I sit here at the desk with my little Son on my shoulders. He is giving Daddy a scalp massage. Not much new this week. But at least one disappointment...
I ain't going to Fragapalooza...
I have made a LOT of fruitless attempts to raise the cash to go, and unless a Godly Miracle occurs and the money comes out of the blue, I just don't have the means for a round-trip and a 4 day stay in Edmonton. I am still going to mail that video card and other stuff to Donovan, just as soon as I can get a replacement PCI card for the kid's system.
Been riding the Bike to work. Today really sucked as I got a little impatient waiting for the 340 (didn't know if the scheduled bus had a bike rack) so I boarded an earlier bus that dropped me off on Annacis Island. It goes against my better judgement to ride the Alex Fraser Bridge TWICE in one day, but I felt I had no choice. As it is probably going to rain tomorrow, I will be taking the CAR if it does.
Been doing a lot of Central Stock work lately, it's NICE!!! - to be back in the saddle, actually DOING warehouse 3 work to go with my warehouse 3 pay classification. Jack had a couple of do-overs for me, which he hates, but I find it's only a minor annoyance. I am ONLY 99% accurate, after all.
Laurie and I have been going back to church...yep, doin' the religion thing. I have really enjoyed going again. My Mom is ecstatic. Her mom is probably upset - Laurie hasn't really wanted to discuss it with her parents, but she kind of figured one of the kids (Coral!) would mention it to grandma and spill the beans.
Taras, my friend from work who got hit by a car a couple of weeks ago (today), is doing fine. He is under professional care and getting some physio (I think) to work the kinks out. He is NOT back riding yet. Whether this is because his bike is still trashed, or his BODY is still trashed; I haven't been able to determine. Probably both.
I ain't going to Fragapalooza...
I have made a LOT of fruitless attempts to raise the cash to go, and unless a Godly Miracle occurs and the money comes out of the blue, I just don't have the means for a round-trip and a 4 day stay in Edmonton. I am still going to mail that video card and other stuff to Donovan, just as soon as I can get a replacement PCI card for the kid's system.
Been riding the Bike to work. Today really sucked as I got a little impatient waiting for the 340 (didn't know if the scheduled bus had a bike rack) so I boarded an earlier bus that dropped me off on Annacis Island. It goes against my better judgement to ride the Alex Fraser Bridge TWICE in one day, but I felt I had no choice. As it is probably going to rain tomorrow, I will be taking the CAR if it does.
Been doing a lot of Central Stock work lately, it's NICE!!! - to be back in the saddle, actually DOING warehouse 3 work to go with my warehouse 3 pay classification. Jack had a couple of do-overs for me, which he hates, but I find it's only a minor annoyance. I am ONLY 99% accurate, after all.
Laurie and I have been going back to church...yep, doin' the religion thing. I have really enjoyed going again. My Mom is ecstatic. Her mom is probably upset - Laurie hasn't really wanted to discuss it with her parents, but she kind of figured one of the kids (Coral!) would mention it to grandma and spill the beans.
Taras, my friend from work who got hit by a car a couple of weeks ago (today), is doing fine. He is under professional care and getting some physio (I think) to work the kinks out. He is NOT back riding yet. Whether this is because his bike is still trashed, or his BODY is still trashed; I haven't been able to determine. Probably both.
Sunday, June 23, 2002
Man oh MAN! - where to begin?
I got in trouble AGAIN at work - this time for raising my voice to a co-worker who is a friend of mine. I am still under probation for shooting my mouth off to the dept. co-ordinator. Section Manager has let me know in NO uncertain terms that if this happens again I am GONE, longtime service or no. Actually, he should probably have fired my ass anyway, but I'm nonetheless grateful that he DIDN'T...
--is squared away, should have no further problems.
...Sigh, I have probably come closer to being fired on more occaisions than anyone else still working there...this is a distinction of sorts; tho' I DON'T recommend it.
Second major event happened on the 14th. I had a 1PM start as our workload was backing up a little. About 2PM...I almost killed another driver...
I won't say anything else about it except to say that if the other driver had been watching where he was going - the whole incedent wouldn't have happened. As it was, the fact that he was proceeding at very slow speed saved him from getting a fork through the ribcage. If he had been travelling at normal speed, he would have been killed and neither he nor I would have known what had happened until it was all over...
...I've had nightmares about something like that happening.
I was a good boy and reported the whole thing to the acting dept. head (regular guy is on vacation). He's a good guy, did it by the book, took statements from both of us and proceeded with a preliminary investigation. 90 minutes later Randy told me that I would be paid the rest of my hours for that day, but that I should GO HOME...he figured the perfect ending to the day would be to knock out a sprinkler head or something. I REALLY appreciate being sent home...I was still shaking from the near-miss and I had spent the last hour-and-a-half driving like a Granny. Following Tuesday I was told to not operate any of the machinery until the investigation (now under Management review) was complete. That took until thursday. Both the other driver and myself have been re-instated...BUT...I feel dissatisfied somehow. I don't know how to put it into words; but there has never been a fatality in this building, and I am VERY disappointed that I was involved in a near-fatality...especially as it has been hinted at that this isn't the first such incident to occur - this is supposed to make me feel BETTER??!
More news: I got Taras' bike pack-rack built...and it works! About 16$ in parts, it is part IKEA desktop widget, part 10-24 threaded rod and 3/8th nuts - and a WHOLE lot of Permetex threadlock. I was initially worried that the 'prototype' was too flimsy for the job intended...but I soon found out how durable my creation was.
Taras swapped paint with a Motorist on his way to work Thursday morning.
He's OK, but will need some physio to get the kinks worked out. No broken bones, but probably will end up with some whiplash and a LOT of bruising. No internal damage that he can tell, but he WAS on concussion watch for 24hrs or so. His #1 bike is a write-off, but the luggage and rack survived without damage! Guilty Pleasure: I was sorry to hear he'd been in an accident, but at the same time pleased that my invention had stood up so well under 'extreme' conditions!
Our House: a work in progress...
Or: two steps forward, one step back...
Figured out why the lawnmower kept choking up: had the blade set too low. The back yard gradient is so uneven that only by setting the mower blade at its HIGHEST setting can you get a half-decent cut without any breakdowns. Of course, this means I have to mow the grass no more than 7 days apart...sigh. While re-doing the lighting in the workshop I found out that we now have TWO leaks in the shop roof/deck surface. One is where the stupid Beagle chewed through the fibreglas mat sealing the join between the shop and the rest of the deck, the other was worn thru over winter. I can re-do the worn thru part, but Grandpa has suggested some metal flashing over the joint seam...I have to agree, it's a good idea. He initially suggested running the flashing right off the edge of the garage roof to the deck surface, to get around the hackneyed flashing job our contractor did. I may have to get him to come with me and sketch out what he has in mind. For sure we have no lack of Alum roofing sheet to make the flashings with.
Donovan Sterling: where ARE YOUUUUU???
Haven't heard from Don the Mon lately, he hasn't turned on his ICQ in DAYS...so how am I going to co-ordinate my efforts to get to Fragapalooza? I am just about ready to chuck the whole thing... and at the same time I am desparate enough to try some really creative ways to raise the cash. I have tried and Tried and TRIED to sell my #2 bike, the 1150$ wunderbike, but no bites so far...
To anyone else besides ME who reads this 'blog...
I am selling a 16" 'comfort' bike - a 1994 Norco Kodiak. It has an OS 6061 Alum frame and alloy-quick-release EVERYTHING. Shimano gripshifters and derailleurs, v-brakes. It's a 21-speed, no suspension, hardcore daily commuter. Weighs about 20 pounds...no, I'm NOT kidding.
So why am I getting rid of it? It's TOO SHORT. Seriously, I've got an extra-long seatpost on there and it is NOT helping...I've already built a replacement and it's working out fine. I had intended to keep the kodiak as my backup ride, but I NEED THE MONEY...
300$ cdn, O.B.O. I'll ship anywhere in North America - who pays shipping depends on how far away I have to ship it...
contact me at brianarc@hotmail.com...if yer interested.
I got in trouble AGAIN at work - this time for raising my voice to a co-worker who is a friend of mine. I am still under probation for shooting my mouth off to the dept. co-ordinator. Section Manager has let me know in NO uncertain terms that if this happens again I am GONE, longtime service or no. Actually, he should probably have fired my ass anyway, but I'm nonetheless grateful that he DIDN'T...
--is squared away, should have no further problems.
...Sigh, I have probably come closer to being fired on more occaisions than anyone else still working there...this is a distinction of sorts; tho' I DON'T recommend it.
Second major event happened on the 14th. I had a 1PM start as our workload was backing up a little. About 2PM...I almost killed another driver...
I won't say anything else about it except to say that if the other driver had been watching where he was going - the whole incedent wouldn't have happened. As it was, the fact that he was proceeding at very slow speed saved him from getting a fork through the ribcage. If he had been travelling at normal speed, he would have been killed and neither he nor I would have known what had happened until it was all over...
...I've had nightmares about something like that happening.
I was a good boy and reported the whole thing to the acting dept. head (regular guy is on vacation). He's a good guy, did it by the book, took statements from both of us and proceeded with a preliminary investigation. 90 minutes later Randy told me that I would be paid the rest of my hours for that day, but that I should GO HOME...he figured the perfect ending to the day would be to knock out a sprinkler head or something. I REALLY appreciate being sent home...I was still shaking from the near-miss and I had spent the last hour-and-a-half driving like a Granny. Following Tuesday I was told to not operate any of the machinery until the investigation (now under Management review) was complete. That took until thursday. Both the other driver and myself have been re-instated...BUT...I feel dissatisfied somehow. I don't know how to put it into words; but there has never been a fatality in this building, and I am VERY disappointed that I was involved in a near-fatality...especially as it has been hinted at that this isn't the first such incident to occur - this is supposed to make me feel BETTER??!
More news: I got Taras' bike pack-rack built...and it works! About 16$ in parts, it is part IKEA desktop widget, part 10-24 threaded rod and 3/8th nuts - and a WHOLE lot of Permetex threadlock. I was initially worried that the 'prototype' was too flimsy for the job intended...but I soon found out how durable my creation was.
Taras swapped paint with a Motorist on his way to work Thursday morning.
He's OK, but will need some physio to get the kinks worked out. No broken bones, but probably will end up with some whiplash and a LOT of bruising. No internal damage that he can tell, but he WAS on concussion watch for 24hrs or so. His #1 bike is a write-off, but the luggage and rack survived without damage! Guilty Pleasure: I was sorry to hear he'd been in an accident, but at the same time pleased that my invention had stood up so well under 'extreme' conditions!
Our House: a work in progress...
Or: two steps forward, one step back...
Figured out why the lawnmower kept choking up: had the blade set too low. The back yard gradient is so uneven that only by setting the mower blade at its HIGHEST setting can you get a half-decent cut without any breakdowns. Of course, this means I have to mow the grass no more than 7 days apart...sigh. While re-doing the lighting in the workshop I found out that we now have TWO leaks in the shop roof/deck surface. One is where the stupid Beagle chewed through the fibreglas mat sealing the join between the shop and the rest of the deck, the other was worn thru over winter. I can re-do the worn thru part, but Grandpa has suggested some metal flashing over the joint seam...I have to agree, it's a good idea. He initially suggested running the flashing right off the edge of the garage roof to the deck surface, to get around the hackneyed flashing job our contractor did. I may have to get him to come with me and sketch out what he has in mind. For sure we have no lack of Alum roofing sheet to make the flashings with.
Donovan Sterling: where ARE YOUUUUU???
Haven't heard from Don the Mon lately, he hasn't turned on his ICQ in DAYS...so how am I going to co-ordinate my efforts to get to Fragapalooza? I am just about ready to chuck the whole thing... and at the same time I am desparate enough to try some really creative ways to raise the cash. I have tried and Tried and TRIED to sell my #2 bike, the 1150$ wunderbike, but no bites so far...
To anyone else besides ME who reads this 'blog...
I am selling a 16" 'comfort' bike - a 1994 Norco Kodiak. It has an OS 6061 Alum frame and alloy-quick-release EVERYTHING. Shimano gripshifters and derailleurs, v-brakes. It's a 21-speed, no suspension, hardcore daily commuter. Weighs about 20 pounds...no, I'm NOT kidding.
So why am I getting rid of it? It's TOO SHORT. Seriously, I've got an extra-long seatpost on there and it is NOT helping...I've already built a replacement and it's working out fine. I had intended to keep the kodiak as my backup ride, but I NEED THE MONEY...
300$ cdn, O.B.O. I'll ship anywhere in North America - who pays shipping depends on how far away I have to ship it...
contact me at brianarc@hotmail.com...if yer interested.
Friday, June 14, 2002
Once upon a time there was a struggling Nation. Actually, nationhood was a pretty new idea; warring tribes and foreign immigrants and refugees looking for some land to call their own had been the norm; but eventually, everybody got settled in and the idea that the land should become a Nation got passed 'round; after all, everyone was doing it!
Mostly what got the whole Nation-building idea rolling was the Great Empire. The Great Empire was lead by a fella named George. George and his well-heeled advisors decided that the people of the struggling Nation had resources that the Great Empire needed "to preserve our way of life" - and since the struggling Nation was primitive, backward, and not even really organised INTO a proper Nation yet, George and his advisors figured getting those resources would be a cinch. George moved his soldiers in to 'keep the peace', he set up a puppet dictatorship to 'provide good governance', and he sat back and waited for the tribute to roll in. After all, the military and economic might of the Great Empire was known and feared all over the WORLD.
The people of the struggling Nation didn't like it. Not one bit. Farmers, craftsmen, respectable community leaders and even clergymen all agreed that this turn of events was manifestly unfair, but they knew the Great Empire had them outmanned and outgunned. "This is a Crisis" the leaders of the Nation-building movement told the people of the struggling Nation, "We cannot defeat the armies and the might of the Great Empire, to even attempt it would be suicide. Therefore, we will try to make the Leaders of the Great Empire change their minds, peaceably if we can, forcibly if we must. If it comes to that, we will try to make it so expensive for the Great Empire to continue their injustice that they will have to go someplace else for what they need and leave us alone."
And they did.
They destroyed official buildings and property belonging to the Great Empire. They killed officers and soldiers of the Great Empire. Sometimes, even ordinary citizens of the Great Empire were killed! They planned these attacks to have the maximum shock effect on the leaders and people of the Great Empire, with minimal risk to their own people; because, unlike the Great Empire, the people of the struggling Nation did not have many soldiers to spare. There were brutal reprisals by the Great Empire for these attacks. The people of the struggling Nation endured these reprisals, because they knew GOD was on THEIR side.
Eventually, the war the Great Empire was making on the struggling Nation became so expensive that the resources extracted from the struggling Nation were no longer enough to defray the cost. George's well-heeled advisors were unhappy, their fortunes were suffering; finally, they persuaded George to sign a treaty with the struggling Nation. Later, the struggling Nation, now a true Nation at last, became an ally and trading partner of the Great Empire, much to the benefit of both peoples.
---Don't ya just LOVE historical paralells?
BTW: the struggling Nation was America, 226-odd years ago.
and the Great Empire was Great Britain, 226-odd years ago.
Mostly what got the whole Nation-building idea rolling was the Great Empire. The Great Empire was lead by a fella named George. George and his well-heeled advisors decided that the people of the struggling Nation had resources that the Great Empire needed "to preserve our way of life" - and since the struggling Nation was primitive, backward, and not even really organised INTO a proper Nation yet, George and his advisors figured getting those resources would be a cinch. George moved his soldiers in to 'keep the peace', he set up a puppet dictatorship to 'provide good governance', and he sat back and waited for the tribute to roll in. After all, the military and economic might of the Great Empire was known and feared all over the WORLD.
The people of the struggling Nation didn't like it. Not one bit. Farmers, craftsmen, respectable community leaders and even clergymen all agreed that this turn of events was manifestly unfair, but they knew the Great Empire had them outmanned and outgunned. "This is a Crisis" the leaders of the Nation-building movement told the people of the struggling Nation, "We cannot defeat the armies and the might of the Great Empire, to even attempt it would be suicide. Therefore, we will try to make the Leaders of the Great Empire change their minds, peaceably if we can, forcibly if we must. If it comes to that, we will try to make it so expensive for the Great Empire to continue their injustice that they will have to go someplace else for what they need and leave us alone."
And they did.
They destroyed official buildings and property belonging to the Great Empire. They killed officers and soldiers of the Great Empire. Sometimes, even ordinary citizens of the Great Empire were killed! They planned these attacks to have the maximum shock effect on the leaders and people of the Great Empire, with minimal risk to their own people; because, unlike the Great Empire, the people of the struggling Nation did not have many soldiers to spare. There were brutal reprisals by the Great Empire for these attacks. The people of the struggling Nation endured these reprisals, because they knew GOD was on THEIR side.
Eventually, the war the Great Empire was making on the struggling Nation became so expensive that the resources extracted from the struggling Nation were no longer enough to defray the cost. George's well-heeled advisors were unhappy, their fortunes were suffering; finally, they persuaded George to sign a treaty with the struggling Nation. Later, the struggling Nation, now a true Nation at last, became an ally and trading partner of the Great Empire, much to the benefit of both peoples.
---Don't ya just LOVE historical paralells?
BTW: the struggling Nation was America, 226-odd years ago.
and the Great Empire was Great Britain, 226-odd years ago.
Monday, June 03, 2002
KWY's move: Oy Vey...!
KWY mentioned that many people have helped him move over the years...once. I have the honor to be among a select few who have been there more than once...I have to admit that the previous move is still a blur...to much pain associated with the memories, I guess.
I started out the week of May 27 pretty normally. I get Mondays off now that we are on downtime at work. Of course, this also means I am working 10 hours per day during the remaining 4 days of the week. Our toilet backed up on the 28th. I think my little son may have tried to flush a hot wheels...
...then the cutoff valve for the toilet started to leak - badly...
...then the pipe attached to the cutoff valve downstairs ruptured while I was at work...
...that's 3 plumbing crises in a row, in a 24-hour period! Don't bad things ALWAYS come in threes?
The ruptured pipe was what decided me on taking the rest of the day off work and taking care of business. We can't afford a plumber, so I had to: 1).fix the ruptured pipe in order to: 2).turn the water back on in order to: 3).replace the cutoff valve in order to: 4).finish installing a replacement toilet. All told, we budgeted 200$ for the project, and ended up spending 100$. I found a discontinued bowl-and-tank set at Canadian tire for 95$, and the manager was nice enough to knock off 25$ more because the bowl and tank were "mismatched; one is bone white and the other is china white". I didn't ask which was which; and frankly, I don't think he knew - I certainly couldn't tell the difference! Old toilet wasn't just plugged, its base was broken and the closet flange hadn't even been bolted to the floor! Not sad to see it go. Still don't know what got jammed in there, and I have no interest in finding out.
According to my Reader's Digest Big Book of DIY, the ruptured pipe could be fixed with something called a Saddle Clamp. I was unable to persuade anyone at Home Depot to find me one ("look, you just cut out the damaged section and replace it with a section of PVC and two couplings"), and our little Home Hardware at the foot of the street didn't have one in stock. I had to chainsaw my way thru the bathroom wall downstairs (literally) to get to the pipe. I improvised a saddle clamp using a piece of industrial-grade garden hose and three standard 1/2 inch hose clamps. Spent two hours standing in the wash sink in our Laundry Room fiddling with that pipe (can't move the wash sink - it's concrete!) before I finally got it clear and applied the fix. The cutoff valve was easy by comparison, and the toilet gave me hardly any trouble at all - except that it is TALLER than the old one and I had to rush out to Home Depot at 9pm to buy a new PVC fill pipe for the tank. I could have bought a toilet seal kit with one of those super-flexible fill hoses with the woven SS sheath included, but NOoooo, I had to save a couple of bucks! Next time out I got smart...more on that in a minute.
Back to the Move...
Did a full 10 hour shift on friday, then over to KWY's after I showered and changed. I had psyched myself for an all-nighter...KWY had rented the largest van available, but owing to demand, had to take a "less than perfect" example. Typical of KWY's philosophy, he had reserved TWO vans at two different rental outfits. Ryder lost his reservation, and Uhaul had what I came to describe as a "25 ton brick". That truck was a deathtrap: clutch was shot, engine ran poorly, and the entire front end was so badly misaligned that the LH corner of both front wheels had been worn smooth. Fortunately, we didn't get the load-up finished until midnight, so dribbling that heap down hwy 1 to clearbrook Rd at barely 70kph wasn't TOO much trouble. I personally believe we were under Divine Protection. We still had a pickup truck's worth of stuff to go, as well...
We spent until 2am getting the majority of the stuff off the Uhaul before calling it quits. KWY and I borrowed mark's truck and returned for the rest of his worldly goods. We had a pickup truck worth of stuff to load, but Mark's ford is only 1/2 a pickup...it's a pick?
SO: we had one more trip to make...this realization came at 3am. We needed sleep, so I set the internal clock for 1/2 hour, and slept right thru it...we got up again at 4:15am. Got the majority of the remaining stuff packed and (half!) loaded in the pickup. Got back to clearbrook and unloaded. It is now pushing 8am. Went BACK to KWY's old place and finished up loading (except old hardware - no room left and didn't feel like moving it...). KWY's landlord shows up (having informed him that new tenants wish to begin moving in at 9AM!!!) and demands that he (we!) clean up the place. KWY had no intention of doing so originally - he had basically already kissed his damage deposit goodbye; but it was kind of hard not to do SOMETHING with LL and wife standing there. I got the last load out to the truck whilst KWY ran around like a (VERY TIRED!) mad fiend and tried to police up all the remaining junk in the suite. Meanwhile, KWY's loading crew at the other end had showed up at 10AM to offload a new fridge and continue emptying the Uhaul...which was locked. It became a real phone tag marathon while KWY tried to A) convince mark to keep the guys around at his new place in order to be there when he finally arrived with the key to the Uhaul and, B) track down his real estate agent, who was transporting the fridge, and dropping off the keys at 10am, as well. All the while LL and wife are dogging his steps, trying to explain how very hurt they are that he didn't clean up, and how they have to leave right away to pick someone up at the airport...the new tenant, I think. We finally got out of there at 10:30am; or rather, KWY did, I went home! The rest I got secondhand from KWY later: the offload went OK, the 25-Ton Brick got returned to Uhaul on time, and KWY managed to hold off physical collapse for a grand total 36 HOURS to get the move accomplished. His Lady Fair, the lovely Leona, picked him up at Uhaul and they schlepped the rest of his stuff (stacked neatly on the back patio) up to clearbrook.
Final note: I have to convince KWY to reactivate his ICQ, and get a ICQphone link going...I ain't gonna keep calling long distance to clearbrook just to talk to him.
This brings us to Monday, and grandpa, apparently impressed by my plumbing savvy, asked me to fix the leaking faucet in his kitchen. It was an old Delta knockoff, and I got a kit of parts from Home Hardware (took the kids out for a stroll down to the HH and we got some ice cream on the way back) and set to...didn't work. There was NO WAY that ball assembly was coming apart, the sucker was fused solid. So grandpa suggested "how about a new faucet set?" I was SO in favor of that plan. Called down and was informed that HH had a nice Moen set for a good price, so grandpa hopped on his scooter and went down to pick it up. Install was a breeze, grandpa was nice enough to include two of those wonderful flex hoses for the taps - I am SERIOUSLY contemplating buying those as replacements for the supply hoses on all our fixtures. Needed to make the holes for the connectors slightly bigger - no prob, a little work with a jigsaw and a cylinder rasp got it done. New faucet may outlast grandpa...
Final item of note: Laurie and I and the kids...all attended church together. More on that later, if there is anything at all to say...
KWY mentioned that many people have helped him move over the years...once. I have the honor to be among a select few who have been there more than once...I have to admit that the previous move is still a blur...to much pain associated with the memories, I guess.
I started out the week of May 27 pretty normally. I get Mondays off now that we are on downtime at work. Of course, this also means I am working 10 hours per day during the remaining 4 days of the week. Our toilet backed up on the 28th. I think my little son may have tried to flush a hot wheels...
...then the cutoff valve for the toilet started to leak - badly...
...then the pipe attached to the cutoff valve downstairs ruptured while I was at work...
...that's 3 plumbing crises in a row, in a 24-hour period! Don't bad things ALWAYS come in threes?
The ruptured pipe was what decided me on taking the rest of the day off work and taking care of business. We can't afford a plumber, so I had to: 1).fix the ruptured pipe in order to: 2).turn the water back on in order to: 3).replace the cutoff valve in order to: 4).finish installing a replacement toilet. All told, we budgeted 200$ for the project, and ended up spending 100$. I found a discontinued bowl-and-tank set at Canadian tire for 95$, and the manager was nice enough to knock off 25$ more because the bowl and tank were "mismatched; one is bone white and the other is china white". I didn't ask which was which; and frankly, I don't think he knew - I certainly couldn't tell the difference! Old toilet wasn't just plugged, its base was broken and the closet flange hadn't even been bolted to the floor! Not sad to see it go. Still don't know what got jammed in there, and I have no interest in finding out.
According to my Reader's Digest Big Book of DIY, the ruptured pipe could be fixed with something called a Saddle Clamp. I was unable to persuade anyone at Home Depot to find me one ("look, you just cut out the damaged section and replace it with a section of PVC and two couplings"), and our little Home Hardware at the foot of the street didn't have one in stock. I had to chainsaw my way thru the bathroom wall downstairs (literally) to get to the pipe. I improvised a saddle clamp using a piece of industrial-grade garden hose and three standard 1/2 inch hose clamps. Spent two hours standing in the wash sink in our Laundry Room fiddling with that pipe (can't move the wash sink - it's concrete!) before I finally got it clear and applied the fix. The cutoff valve was easy by comparison, and the toilet gave me hardly any trouble at all - except that it is TALLER than the old one and I had to rush out to Home Depot at 9pm to buy a new PVC fill pipe for the tank. I could have bought a toilet seal kit with one of those super-flexible fill hoses with the woven SS sheath included, but NOoooo, I had to save a couple of bucks! Next time out I got smart...more on that in a minute.
Back to the Move...
Did a full 10 hour shift on friday, then over to KWY's after I showered and changed. I had psyched myself for an all-nighter...KWY had rented the largest van available, but owing to demand, had to take a "less than perfect" example. Typical of KWY's philosophy, he had reserved TWO vans at two different rental outfits. Ryder lost his reservation, and Uhaul had what I came to describe as a "25 ton brick". That truck was a deathtrap: clutch was shot, engine ran poorly, and the entire front end was so badly misaligned that the LH corner of both front wheels had been worn smooth. Fortunately, we didn't get the load-up finished until midnight, so dribbling that heap down hwy 1 to clearbrook Rd at barely 70kph wasn't TOO much trouble. I personally believe we were under Divine Protection. We still had a pickup truck's worth of stuff to go, as well...
We spent until 2am getting the majority of the stuff off the Uhaul before calling it quits. KWY and I borrowed mark's truck and returned for the rest of his worldly goods. We had a pickup truck worth of stuff to load, but Mark's ford is only 1/2 a pickup...it's a pick?
SO: we had one more trip to make...this realization came at 3am. We needed sleep, so I set the internal clock for 1/2 hour, and slept right thru it...we got up again at 4:15am. Got the majority of the remaining stuff packed and (half!) loaded in the pickup. Got back to clearbrook and unloaded. It is now pushing 8am. Went BACK to KWY's old place and finished up loading (except old hardware - no room left and didn't feel like moving it...). KWY's landlord shows up (having informed him that new tenants wish to begin moving in at 9AM!!!) and demands that he (we!) clean up the place. KWY had no intention of doing so originally - he had basically already kissed his damage deposit goodbye; but it was kind of hard not to do SOMETHING with LL and wife standing there. I got the last load out to the truck whilst KWY ran around like a (VERY TIRED!) mad fiend and tried to police up all the remaining junk in the suite. Meanwhile, KWY's loading crew at the other end had showed up at 10AM to offload a new fridge and continue emptying the Uhaul...which was locked. It became a real phone tag marathon while KWY tried to A) convince mark to keep the guys around at his new place in order to be there when he finally arrived with the key to the Uhaul and, B) track down his real estate agent, who was transporting the fridge, and dropping off the keys at 10am, as well. All the while LL and wife are dogging his steps, trying to explain how very hurt they are that he didn't clean up, and how they have to leave right away to pick someone up at the airport...the new tenant, I think. We finally got out of there at 10:30am; or rather, KWY did, I went home! The rest I got secondhand from KWY later: the offload went OK, the 25-Ton Brick got returned to Uhaul on time, and KWY managed to hold off physical collapse for a grand total 36 HOURS to get the move accomplished. His Lady Fair, the lovely Leona, picked him up at Uhaul and they schlepped the rest of his stuff (stacked neatly on the back patio) up to clearbrook.
Final note: I have to convince KWY to reactivate his ICQ, and get a ICQphone link going...I ain't gonna keep calling long distance to clearbrook just to talk to him.
This brings us to Monday, and grandpa, apparently impressed by my plumbing savvy, asked me to fix the leaking faucet in his kitchen. It was an old Delta knockoff, and I got a kit of parts from Home Hardware (took the kids out for a stroll down to the HH and we got some ice cream on the way back) and set to...didn't work. There was NO WAY that ball assembly was coming apart, the sucker was fused solid. So grandpa suggested "how about a new faucet set?" I was SO in favor of that plan. Called down and was informed that HH had a nice Moen set for a good price, so grandpa hopped on his scooter and went down to pick it up. Install was a breeze, grandpa was nice enough to include two of those wonderful flex hoses for the taps - I am SERIOUSLY contemplating buying those as replacements for the supply hoses on all our fixtures. Needed to make the holes for the connectors slightly bigger - no prob, a little work with a jigsaw and a cylinder rasp got it done. New faucet may outlast grandpa...
Final item of note: Laurie and I and the kids...all attended church together. More on that later, if there is anything at all to say...
Saturday, May 25, 2002
Talked to KWY again today about borrowing his digicam to put my Laptops and parts up for sale on Ebay. He was, of course, playing EverQuest at the time, and apparently my call was ill-timed at a critical juncture...his character got killed off. He'll probably never forgive me..."two hours work shot!"...hey, buddy, you were SUPPOSED to be packing boxes. I may have to help him move just to make up for this little snafu...although I hadn't originally planned on doing so. Mebbe I'll pedal my hump over there next weekend. I need the exercise anyway. MUST Must must...get the latest 1/2 life builds and mods from him on CD so I can pick up where I left off at Fragapalooza. Was playing a little DOOM classic for practice today, but I wasn't really into it.
Saw that FOX special "Did we REALLY go to the Moon?" Gotta admit, they ask some intriguing questions. I have seen a lot of sites declaring the whole Lunar Landing program a hoax, and other sites that debunk the 'hoax' sites...who ya gonna believe???
...must admit, tho, if they faked the whole thing at Area 51 (Groom Lake, Nevada), it would explain why the US military is so touchy about civilians observing the base, even from the surrounding moutain peaks ten miles away!
I propose a method of PROOVING the lunar photos and movies taken during the Apollo missions are genuine:
First, build a working computer model of the solar system (already done, just ask the guys at JPL)
Second, build a working model of the Starfield Sphere as seen from earth (ditto).
Third, and this is the tricky part, modify the output of the Starfield simulacrum to display the various celestial formations and constellations AS VIEWED FROM THE LUNAR SURFACE. Roll the time index back to 1969 thru 1973.
Fourth, dig up all those NASA Apollo photos with the beautiful starry sky in the background...and run them thru the simulation...if the photos are genuine, with the constellations viewed therein FROM THE MOON, the simulation should be able to indicate WHERE on the moon that particular photo was taken, and when. If the photos are fake...well, the construct should be able to tell us where they were shot...but I have a funny feeling that if this is the case, the location will turn out to be in the Western US, in, say...Nevada?
Saw that FOX special "Did we REALLY go to the Moon?" Gotta admit, they ask some intriguing questions. I have seen a lot of sites declaring the whole Lunar Landing program a hoax, and other sites that debunk the 'hoax' sites...who ya gonna believe???
...must admit, tho, if they faked the whole thing at Area 51 (Groom Lake, Nevada), it would explain why the US military is so touchy about civilians observing the base, even from the surrounding moutain peaks ten miles away!
I propose a method of PROOVING the lunar photos and movies taken during the Apollo missions are genuine:
First, build a working computer model of the solar system (already done, just ask the guys at JPL)
Second, build a working model of the Starfield Sphere as seen from earth (ditto).
Third, and this is the tricky part, modify the output of the Starfield simulacrum to display the various celestial formations and constellations AS VIEWED FROM THE LUNAR SURFACE. Roll the time index back to 1969 thru 1973.
Fourth, dig up all those NASA Apollo photos with the beautiful starry sky in the background...and run them thru the simulation...if the photos are genuine, with the constellations viewed therein FROM THE MOON, the simulation should be able to indicate WHERE on the moon that particular photo was taken, and when. If the photos are fake...well, the construct should be able to tell us where they were shot...but I have a funny feeling that if this is the case, the location will turn out to be in the Western US, in, say...Nevada?
Have put surplus worldly goods up for sale - but didn't tell my SO...Laurie got a call from a guy in town from the Island for the day about the door for sale...of COURSE she didn't know what the h*ll he was talking about. There goes 50 bucks I could've used for the Edmonton trip. No other calls so far. Have to wait and see what turns up when the ads get re-treaded online next week. I really hope I can sell the Kodiak to some Little Person in need of a high-end ATB with a 15" frame. An adult bike for adults with REAL short legs...I have decided to keep only half the proceeds from the sale of the windows and other surplus items from the reno. Sale of the bike proceeds are MINE, and will pay my airfare to and from Alberta. I still have to borrow KWY's digicam and put the laptops and parts on Ebay. Taras has been bugging me about getting on with the bike carrier project, I now know how I am going to build the little sucker, but I need to locate a source of free parts. I think a scrapyard or appliance repair shop may be my best bet for the wire rack I need. I have been pipelining cardboard boxes to KWY for his move, but my boss says enuff already! No more c-board for me...at least for a little while. Our dept. at work will probably meet its goal and score those 100k points on the company's new incentive program, thanks in part to a bit of Genius Management by my boss, Randy Squires, ALL HAIL THE BOSS MAN! He took a seemingly impossible situation and turned it into a rare opportunity to increase dept. and overall productivity for the DC. Of course, as he himself said, there could still be some fallout from this stunt...I don't care, I still think it was brilliant and it's why he SHOULD be paid the Big Bucks.
Saturday, May 18, 2002
Top Ten reason's why Arnold Schwarzenegger should play "Doctor Octopus" in the next Spider Man Movie:
10. He's got the accent.
9. ...and the menacing presence (remember the Terminator?).
8. ...and the 'big bad' guy muscles.
7. He's a nice guy, not difficult to work with, and he LOVES doing 'family' movies.
6, Arnie and destruction, and action-movie lovers favorite combo.
5. He's about the right age. (sorry Arnie, nobody's young forever!)
4. Some fans would enjoy watching big, bad, Ahnold beat the snot out of Toby McGuire.
3. Two words: bankable celebrity.
2. Doesn't mind wearing complicated (and ridiculous) costumes (remember Jingle All the Way?).
...and the number 1 reason Arnold Schwarzenegger should play "Dr. Octopus" in the next Spider Man Movie:
1. He really REALLY needs to make up for his performance as "Victor Freeze" in that dreadful Batman movie...
10. He's got the accent.
9. ...and the menacing presence (remember the Terminator?).
8. ...and the 'big bad' guy muscles.
7. He's a nice guy, not difficult to work with, and he LOVES doing 'family' movies.
6, Arnie and destruction, and action-movie lovers favorite combo.
5. He's about the right age. (sorry Arnie, nobody's young forever!)
4. Some fans would enjoy watching big, bad, Ahnold beat the snot out of Toby McGuire.
3. Two words: bankable celebrity.
2. Doesn't mind wearing complicated (and ridiculous) costumes (remember Jingle All the Way?).
...and the number 1 reason Arnold Schwarzenegger should play "Dr. Octopus" in the next Spider Man Movie:
1. He really REALLY needs to make up for his performance as "Victor Freeze" in that dreadful Batman movie...
Friday, May 17, 2002
MAN! This weekly journal is turning into a monthly magazine...been busy.
News: got the kids their computer. Spent about 100$ fixing up the Playroom. Saw the Van for sale with the 'blown engine' - It popped a conrod cap and the piston and rod got sucked into the engine sump and jammed the crankshaft. Can I repair it? Can I persuade the Car Lot owner to let me try?...we'll see. Kwy is getting married. Most of us wonder what took him so long. He owns to having very high standards, but we just thought he was really picky. Continuing work on KWY's shindogo, and another project, a bicycle luggage rack, for TJ. Work is busy so far. Structural columns are up at the new DC, and roof trestles laid on. Walls will be erected soon.
The car broke its clutch cable - right in Mark's driveway! GREEAAAK...SNAP! Mark turns to me and says; "that didn't sound good..." No fooling...Mark's cousin got us to work only few minutes late. Got a cable next day and discovered two things: 1. Lordco sold me the wrong cable last time. 2. My attempts to make it fit and work were why it broke in the first place.
Current worries with the Junker have to do with a coolant hose (replaced in Feb.) that doesn't seem to be sealed properly.
Speaking of automotive woes: Donovan is having incredible probs with his Hyundai/Dodge/Mitsubishi/Excel/Colt/Whatever. He's tuned it up and re-tourqued the head, cleaned under the timing cover and replaced the belt. Car still runs crappy. I keep trying to persuade him that it might be the Fuel Pump, which is sort of an Achilles Heel with that particular engine, but he says she is running clean and dry. That leaves Ignition and/or Timing as the problem, and he is doggedly chasing down those possibilities. He plans to drive to Fragapalooza in July, hope his heap is ready to make the trip by then. Don was telling me that team Three Blind Mice has been joined by a fourth. Guess we'll have to change the name.
In addition to getting married, other friend KWY is moving...this means packing up his 500 title movie collection, and 2500 volume library. He's been single for a lonnnng time. He bought a house out in Clearbrook, and will be doing the long Hwy 1 run every morn into richmond from there. His work is picking up stakes and moving out there in about six months. I got him 45 boxes from work, he may ask me to get more.
Deep Link: www.downtowneastside.com - I don't usually go in for verse libre, but this guy has a way with words...at least (s)he can spell.
Computer woes: the system has been running REALLY crappy lately, unknown processes, slowdowns, Win2k begging for mercy (or a re-install). Went to symantec's site. Their 'security response' section has an ActiveX utility that is a fairly thorough virus scanner. It informed me that I had 101 INFECTED FILES...no wonder I couldn't install Norton! I got the current 'vaccine' and got the little buggers out of my system. Have installed and updated NAV, will be a good boy and not open stranger Emails from now on...
Read a funny Urban Legend type story that's been floating around the 'net lately: all about the importance of a horse's ass, and how a design feature on the most sophisticated transport system on the planet was determined 2000 years ago by just that: the width of a horse's butt.
News: got the kids their computer. Spent about 100$ fixing up the Playroom. Saw the Van for sale with the 'blown engine' - It popped a conrod cap and the piston and rod got sucked into the engine sump and jammed the crankshaft. Can I repair it? Can I persuade the Car Lot owner to let me try?...we'll see. Kwy is getting married. Most of us wonder what took him so long. He owns to having very high standards, but we just thought he was really picky. Continuing work on KWY's shindogo, and another project, a bicycle luggage rack, for TJ. Work is busy so far. Structural columns are up at the new DC, and roof trestles laid on. Walls will be erected soon.
The car broke its clutch cable - right in Mark's driveway! GREEAAAK...SNAP! Mark turns to me and says; "that didn't sound good..." No fooling...Mark's cousin got us to work only few minutes late. Got a cable next day and discovered two things: 1. Lordco sold me the wrong cable last time. 2. My attempts to make it fit and work were why it broke in the first place.
Current worries with the Junker have to do with a coolant hose (replaced in Feb.) that doesn't seem to be sealed properly.
Speaking of automotive woes: Donovan is having incredible probs with his Hyundai/Dodge/Mitsubishi/Excel/Colt/Whatever. He's tuned it up and re-tourqued the head, cleaned under the timing cover and replaced the belt. Car still runs crappy. I keep trying to persuade him that it might be the Fuel Pump, which is sort of an Achilles Heel with that particular engine, but he says she is running clean and dry. That leaves Ignition and/or Timing as the problem, and he is doggedly chasing down those possibilities. He plans to drive to Fragapalooza in July, hope his heap is ready to make the trip by then. Don was telling me that team Three Blind Mice has been joined by a fourth. Guess we'll have to change the name.
In addition to getting married, other friend KWY is moving...this means packing up his 500 title movie collection, and 2500 volume library. He's been single for a lonnnng time. He bought a house out in Clearbrook, and will be doing the long Hwy 1 run every morn into richmond from there. His work is picking up stakes and moving out there in about six months. I got him 45 boxes from work, he may ask me to get more.
Deep Link: www.downtowneastside.com - I don't usually go in for verse libre, but this guy has a way with words...at least (s)he can spell.
Computer woes: the system has been running REALLY crappy lately, unknown processes, slowdowns, Win2k begging for mercy (or a re-install). Went to symantec's site. Their 'security response' section has an ActiveX utility that is a fairly thorough virus scanner. It informed me that I had 101 INFECTED FILES...no wonder I couldn't install Norton! I got the current 'vaccine' and got the little buggers out of my system. Have installed and updated NAV, will be a good boy and not open stranger Emails from now on...
Read a funny Urban Legend type story that's been floating around the 'net lately: all about the importance of a horse's ass, and how a design feature on the most sophisticated transport system on the planet was determined 2000 years ago by just that: the width of a horse's butt.
Sunday, April 21, 2002
Excitement this week: Fixed the Lawnmower. Number one on the top 100 list of Things To Do around here. Future projects will include a Post for a Laundry Line, Painting the Deck, and a New Fence. I'd LOVE to know where all the money is going to come from for this...
But a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do...especially if he wants to ditch his SO and fly off to a neighboring province and attend a giant 3-day LAN party. I have to re-activate my BuySell.com account and put about a TON o' stuff up for sale. Profits from my personal property go to ME (and the kid's computer, if there's any leftovers...). Sales of the extra glass, doors, windows, steel roof panels and etc. from the reno go to the fence fund. So; I will be using the Fido account (while it's still 'nearly free') to take messages and get the goods unloaded in short order.
Speaking of buying and selling...I have been giving some thought to acquiring a new (used!) vehicle...but I need to see the wreck first. There is a Plymouth Voyager van about the same age as the Tracker currently floating around the 'beaters' section of BuySell. It's got a good Chassis, but the engine is "blown" - whatever that means. I could probably get it for 50cents on the dollar, if I offered to tow it away and never, never bring it back. BUT, I need to know if the engine damage is within my means and ability to repair. Wife will be off dancing for 5 days next week...hmmmm.
Colin and I went on a little road trip yesterday to pick up some parts for the IBM TP560 I'm trying to repair. On the way home we visited the Shelter Island Marina off Graybar road in Richmond. Man, if ever someone needed the services of a good bike mechanic, it's boaters...mebbe I should get some new cards printed...and get a dealership from a few 'folding bike' suppliers. Colin loved 'da boats' and I had to explain repeatedly that they were not 'bawoons', but 'bumpers' that he saw hanging off the various craft we saw moored at dock 'C'. For some reason (probably romantic fixation), I am attracted to that place, even to modifying my regular route to work just so I could pass by it every day. Colin and I also drove to the end of #8 road to have a look at the site for HBC Logistics new Super-DC. Only nine more months and I will be working there! The foundations have been poured, and I expect we'll see structural columns and walls going up soon.
Speaking of work, we just concluded the most successful Health and Safety week we've ever had in the history of the building...which is good, 'cause it's also the LAST we will have in that Building. This time next year, we will be well and truly moved into the new digs. High points of the week were a seminar on back care (dug it), and a live First Aid Response demo. There was also, as I suggested, a demo for OPR rescue, which turned into an exercise; and which management bumped up by one day, to take almost everyone (including me) by surprise. Exercise was successful, and a productive discussion followed. Glad I was not in charge...but equally glad I got to participate. Nice to know we can do it if we have to.
But a man's gotta do what a man's gotta do...especially if he wants to ditch his SO and fly off to a neighboring province and attend a giant 3-day LAN party. I have to re-activate my BuySell.com account and put about a TON o' stuff up for sale. Profits from my personal property go to ME (and the kid's computer, if there's any leftovers...). Sales of the extra glass, doors, windows, steel roof panels and etc. from the reno go to the fence fund. So; I will be using the Fido account (while it's still 'nearly free') to take messages and get the goods unloaded in short order.
Speaking of buying and selling...I have been giving some thought to acquiring a new (used!) vehicle...but I need to see the wreck first. There is a Plymouth Voyager van about the same age as the Tracker currently floating around the 'beaters' section of BuySell. It's got a good Chassis, but the engine is "blown" - whatever that means. I could probably get it for 50cents on the dollar, if I offered to tow it away and never, never bring it back. BUT, I need to know if the engine damage is within my means and ability to repair. Wife will be off dancing for 5 days next week...hmmmm.
Colin and I went on a little road trip yesterday to pick up some parts for the IBM TP560 I'm trying to repair. On the way home we visited the Shelter Island Marina off Graybar road in Richmond. Man, if ever someone needed the services of a good bike mechanic, it's boaters...mebbe I should get some new cards printed...and get a dealership from a few 'folding bike' suppliers. Colin loved 'da boats' and I had to explain repeatedly that they were not 'bawoons', but 'bumpers' that he saw hanging off the various craft we saw moored at dock 'C'. For some reason (probably romantic fixation), I am attracted to that place, even to modifying my regular route to work just so I could pass by it every day. Colin and I also drove to the end of #8 road to have a look at the site for HBC Logistics new Super-DC. Only nine more months and I will be working there! The foundations have been poured, and I expect we'll see structural columns and walls going up soon.
Speaking of work, we just concluded the most successful Health and Safety week we've ever had in the history of the building...which is good, 'cause it's also the LAST we will have in that Building. This time next year, we will be well and truly moved into the new digs. High points of the week were a seminar on back care (dug it), and a live First Aid Response demo. There was also, as I suggested, a demo for OPR rescue, which turned into an exercise; and which management bumped up by one day, to take almost everyone (including me) by surprise. Exercise was successful, and a productive discussion followed. Glad I was not in charge...but equally glad I got to participate. Nice to know we can do it if we have to.
Thursday, April 11, 2002
Two items this week (and sorry I missed last week!). Spring Cleaning was a (literally!) smashing success and we got most of the dead computer junk out of the garage. Mannie (fijian next-door-neighbor) and I took down the blown-down fence last saturday and got the lumber to the curb, now all I have to do is borrow Father-in-law's truck and haul the kindling to the dump. Got to trash pick some more bike parts. I could probably set up a nice little enterprise in bike repair/restoration, if there were any money in it. Nah.
The other excitement in my life can be summed up in one word: FRAGAPALOOZA.
Donovan went and reg'd me for FP 2002 (happy birthday to me!) and tells me to reserve a seat next to him and Photon. I can just see us, three middle-aged gamers with LT optimice...clan "three blind mice". I will pack up my system and a bedroll, and somehow I gotta find the few hundered dollars this little expedition is gonna cost me. I shouldn't have much trouble getting a couple of days off around that weekend.
The other excitement in my life can be summed up in one word: FRAGAPALOOZA.
Donovan went and reg'd me for FP 2002 (happy birthday to me!) and tells me to reserve a seat next to him and Photon. I can just see us, three middle-aged gamers with LT optimice...clan "three blind mice". I will pack up my system and a bedroll, and somehow I gotta find the few hundered dollars this little expedition is gonna cost me. I shouldn't have much trouble getting a couple of days off around that weekend.
Sunday, March 24, 2002
KWY wants me to design a shindogu for him...and build it, no less! KWY is a big EverQuest player, and pointed out to me that developing your character's skills in the game requires a lot of KB sitting time, pressing keys over and over, until the skill you're wanting gets developed to a particular level...He wants a device that will press keys for him. Shades of "The Simpsons"...
Now, since I want KWY's help on a little harebrained scheme of my OWN, I have agreed to build him his automatic keyboard presser. I envision the prototype as a kludge built out of erector set and plywood, with 5 bucks of radio shack goodness thrown in. I have a couple of old CD-ROM drives taken apart that should provide the gears and whatnot I'll need. I think I'll have the gizmo press two keys initially, and mebbe leave room for up to six armatures...Anyway, KWY claims that if we can build a working prototype and get it produced, we could make money if only a narrow percentage of EverQuest players bought one. Or we could just sell the blueprints online for a couple of bucks each.
My own scheme requires the services of a software designer. As KWY is the only software designer I know who will work for free (50% cut of future profits, if any), he gets the tap. If we can get a working package together, we shop it around to whomever will listen to us, and sell it to the highest bidding interested party. Plus, I want to build it because I WANT one. Money to be made, folks...more bulletins as events warrant.
In other news, I got all the spare parts together that I will need to build 3 bikes out of the collection of parts I have. I will be selling the Kodiak because Its frame is just too small for me. The Schwinn get's the Kodiak's wheels (granny geared), and I have built a new set of QR wheels for the Kodiak. I should have no trouble unloading it CHEAP. The hardtail TJ gave me will get a decent set of alloy wheels, and I have decided to leave it's brakes and other hardware alone. I MAY swap the cantilever brakes on the HT for the mismatched set on the Schwinn, or I may just wait 'till Spring Cleaning and see if I can heist another set of brake levers that match either one of the sets I now have on the Schwinn. I could also head 'round to my local junkman and see if I can work a trade. Would like a suspended fork for the Schwinn, but the sus forks on the HT are too tall to install on the Schwinn's frame...that's another reason to sell the HT: it's just too darn big for me.
Now, since I want KWY's help on a little harebrained scheme of my OWN, I have agreed to build him his automatic keyboard presser. I envision the prototype as a kludge built out of erector set and plywood, with 5 bucks of radio shack goodness thrown in. I have a couple of old CD-ROM drives taken apart that should provide the gears and whatnot I'll need. I think I'll have the gizmo press two keys initially, and mebbe leave room for up to six armatures...Anyway, KWY claims that if we can build a working prototype and get it produced, we could make money if only a narrow percentage of EverQuest players bought one. Or we could just sell the blueprints online for a couple of bucks each.
My own scheme requires the services of a software designer. As KWY is the only software designer I know who will work for free (50% cut of future profits, if any), he gets the tap. If we can get a working package together, we shop it around to whomever will listen to us, and sell it to the highest bidding interested party. Plus, I want to build it because I WANT one. Money to be made, folks...more bulletins as events warrant.
In other news, I got all the spare parts together that I will need to build 3 bikes out of the collection of parts I have. I will be selling the Kodiak because Its frame is just too small for me. The Schwinn get's the Kodiak's wheels (granny geared), and I have built a new set of QR wheels for the Kodiak. I should have no trouble unloading it CHEAP. The hardtail TJ gave me will get a decent set of alloy wheels, and I have decided to leave it's brakes and other hardware alone. I MAY swap the cantilever brakes on the HT for the mismatched set on the Schwinn, or I may just wait 'till Spring Cleaning and see if I can heist another set of brake levers that match either one of the sets I now have on the Schwinn. I could also head 'round to my local junkman and see if I can work a trade. Would like a suspended fork for the Schwinn, but the sus forks on the HT are too tall to install on the Schwinn's frame...that's another reason to sell the HT: it's just too darn big for me.
Saturday, March 16, 2002
Ok, the story of the week so far:
Made peace with supervisor. This means I will either go on to become a more valued member of the dept. team or that the axe is gonna fall soon...sigh, I'm SUCH a cynic sometimes -- must be the medication.
I've been off work sick for most of the past week - DEJA VU!!! - and went down to the local clinic to get a note for work. Right...I'm too sick to drive to work, so I have to get up and drive to the clinic to get an MD to officially say so. Ya know, if doctors still made house calls, there might be more of 'em out there...sorry, I'm rambling a little TOO much there.
Visit with Dr. Towill went well, I was surprisingly lucid for most of it. The first item out of the ordinary was the throat swab. The second item was the quickie chest X-ray he sent me down the hall for. I've never had one of those...When I asked what he was looking for, he replied matter-of-fact; "Pneumonia". Geeez, I didn't think I was THAT sick. All I'd had was a little bitty 102 degree fever for most of the previous 3 days. Anyway, no deadly respiratory condition, but bad enough bronchitis to light up the film beautifully. I got a standard 10 day course of antibiotics and the fever went away within 2 hours of my first dose. The wife still has whatever-this-is, but both kids seem to have missed it somehow. Wife is recovering, slowly...
In other news, I missed the Lift Truck Rodeo...AGAIN...on Dr. T's recommendation. He figures I'll be ready to return to work monday, but that I probably should stay home in the meantime because I could still be contagious. I wasn't up to it anyway...
Donovan wrote, ICQ'ed, and Phoned LD to tell me all about the head gasket job he'd done on his hyundai/dodge/mitsubichi excel/colt/whatever...The same car I helped him do an oil change on last summer. Nice little car, but engine compartment is kinda crowded and the engine has a few unfortunate quirks that can bite you on the ass if you're unfamiliar. I had a car with the same series engine so I KNEW why he phoned...
He removed the fuel pump while taking the head off...
Normally, this is not a big deal. The Mitsu 4 Cyl engine on that era of import uses a simple, mechanical drive, double diaphragm pump, driven by a polished steel rod about 4" long. There is NO mechanical connection between the cam and the rod, or between the rod and the spring lever on the pump. The rod sits inside a carefully sized hole drilled through the head...at about a 30 degree angle downward. See where this is going? The pump is also (unfortunate indeed!) located toward the rear of the engine compartment UNDER the manifold. (also, there's a pressure relief vent out the bottom of the pump housing that sits over the alternator...I've always wondered about the wisdom of that...) The short of it is...If you're not aware of the set-up, you will try to remove the pump from above, blind, and that rod will come shooting out of the head as soon as the pump body is no longer there to hold it in place. DIY manual procedures for that model recommend removal from underneath, which is impossible, but insures you don't lose the rod -- 'cause it will fall on you.
Donovan was working outdoors in fresh, powdery, snow...he lost the rod, but wasn't aware of it? Yep.
He did find it again, after the aforementioned LD call to me. I told him to grease the sucker with vaseline ("just dunk it in the jar...") and it should stick inside the head long enough for him to get the fuel pump back on. Since everything ELSE involved in the head gasket replacement went off smoothly, he should have his vehicle back on the road by the time you read this. (assuming anyone besides ME reads this, anyway...)
In Other News, I have decided to buy a used, bare-bones system for the kids instead of trying to build one from all the spare junk I have kicking around here. The P166 I started to build for Coral lacks a HD to make it go. I could get a used HD for it, but for the same price I could pick up an old Corporate Desktop Brick and upgrade it with some of the parts I have on the 166. That way, I would still have the leftovers for spares.
Problem: cash flow.
No, we're not poor...we're in debt...
Not badly, mind you -- the several thou we owe in various directions is a pittance compared with...well, say, the National Average. But the wife wants it paid off ASAP (current climate makes her nervous -- and I ain't gonna argue with THAT), so after three months, we're almost halfway there on paper. But this means NO extra for extras - like a computer for the kids.
Can anyone say: "Garage Sale"?
Heck, If we could raise even 50 bucks I would gladly chip in the rest. Besides, I've been meaning to get rid of some of the junk around the shop anyway. The kids could stand to thin out their toyboxes a little. Some of the wife's "bargains" we don't use could be put to better use by someone else...etc, etc.
Spring Cleaning is coming up too...mebbe we should have the Garage Sale afterward instead of beforehand...must ask the wife.
Made peace with supervisor. This means I will either go on to become a more valued member of the dept. team or that the axe is gonna fall soon...sigh, I'm SUCH a cynic sometimes -- must be the medication.
I've been off work sick for most of the past week - DEJA VU!!! - and went down to the local clinic to get a note for work. Right...I'm too sick to drive to work, so I have to get up and drive to the clinic to get an MD to officially say so. Ya know, if doctors still made house calls, there might be more of 'em out there...sorry, I'm rambling a little TOO much there.
Visit with Dr. Towill went well, I was surprisingly lucid for most of it. The first item out of the ordinary was the throat swab. The second item was the quickie chest X-ray he sent me down the hall for. I've never had one of those...When I asked what he was looking for, he replied matter-of-fact; "Pneumonia". Geeez, I didn't think I was THAT sick. All I'd had was a little bitty 102 degree fever for most of the previous 3 days. Anyway, no deadly respiratory condition, but bad enough bronchitis to light up the film beautifully. I got a standard 10 day course of antibiotics and the fever went away within 2 hours of my first dose. The wife still has whatever-this-is, but both kids seem to have missed it somehow. Wife is recovering, slowly...
In other news, I missed the Lift Truck Rodeo...AGAIN...on Dr. T's recommendation. He figures I'll be ready to return to work monday, but that I probably should stay home in the meantime because I could still be contagious. I wasn't up to it anyway...
Donovan wrote, ICQ'ed, and Phoned LD to tell me all about the head gasket job he'd done on his hyundai/dodge/mitsubichi excel/colt/whatever...The same car I helped him do an oil change on last summer. Nice little car, but engine compartment is kinda crowded and the engine has a few unfortunate quirks that can bite you on the ass if you're unfamiliar. I had a car with the same series engine so I KNEW why he phoned...
He removed the fuel pump while taking the head off...
Normally, this is not a big deal. The Mitsu 4 Cyl engine on that era of import uses a simple, mechanical drive, double diaphragm pump, driven by a polished steel rod about 4" long. There is NO mechanical connection between the cam and the rod, or between the rod and the spring lever on the pump. The rod sits inside a carefully sized hole drilled through the head...at about a 30 degree angle downward. See where this is going? The pump is also (unfortunate indeed!) located toward the rear of the engine compartment UNDER the manifold. (also, there's a pressure relief vent out the bottom of the pump housing that sits over the alternator...I've always wondered about the wisdom of that...) The short of it is...If you're not aware of the set-up, you will try to remove the pump from above, blind, and that rod will come shooting out of the head as soon as the pump body is no longer there to hold it in place. DIY manual procedures for that model recommend removal from underneath, which is impossible, but insures you don't lose the rod -- 'cause it will fall on you.
Donovan was working outdoors in fresh, powdery, snow...he lost the rod, but wasn't aware of it? Yep.
He did find it again, after the aforementioned LD call to me. I told him to grease the sucker with vaseline ("just dunk it in the jar...") and it should stick inside the head long enough for him to get the fuel pump back on. Since everything ELSE involved in the head gasket replacement went off smoothly, he should have his vehicle back on the road by the time you read this. (assuming anyone besides ME reads this, anyway...)
In Other News, I have decided to buy a used, bare-bones system for the kids instead of trying to build one from all the spare junk I have kicking around here. The P166 I started to build for Coral lacks a HD to make it go. I could get a used HD for it, but for the same price I could pick up an old Corporate Desktop Brick and upgrade it with some of the parts I have on the 166. That way, I would still have the leftovers for spares.
Problem: cash flow.
No, we're not poor...we're in debt...
Not badly, mind you -- the several thou we owe in various directions is a pittance compared with...well, say, the National Average. But the wife wants it paid off ASAP (current climate makes her nervous -- and I ain't gonna argue with THAT), so after three months, we're almost halfway there on paper. But this means NO extra for extras - like a computer for the kids.
Can anyone say: "Garage Sale"?
Heck, If we could raise even 50 bucks I would gladly chip in the rest. Besides, I've been meaning to get rid of some of the junk around the shop anyway. The kids could stand to thin out their toyboxes a little. Some of the wife's "bargains" we don't use could be put to better use by someone else...etc, etc.
Spring Cleaning is coming up too...mebbe we should have the Garage Sale afterward instead of beforehand...must ask the wife.
Friday, March 01, 2002
I am home early on a Friday Night because the Other Dept. Head (an otherwise decent guy) decided that the tiff myself and my supervisor were having wouldn't bother him at all - If I wasn't there. I am probably going to be called in on Moday for a little tete-a-tete with MY dept. head (he wasn't available at the time of said tiff) to Explain My Actions. This marks the third or fourth such meeting I have had in the last few months. Coincidentally, this supervisor has only been on the job for the last few months. Is it just me? Previous to this period I have had 3 or 4 such meetings over the last SEVEN YEARS. For mistakes made, not for some petty personality conflict. Either that, or I have been pulling BS the whole time I have worked there and this particular supervisor has a sufficiently low BS threshold that he isn't going to let me get away with it any longer. I am feeling a little conflicted right now because I can see validity in BOTH viewpoints.
I need a change...
I DON'T want to change jobs. Granted, there are some advantages: my severance payment would probably get rid of our current debt. (not mortgage, tho') Perhaps I will find something MUCH MUCH MUCH BETTER!!! Optimism aside, the current salary and benefits I enjoy took a long time to build. Starting over somewhere else would put a SERIOUS crimp in our finances. The thought of slogging along for several years to recover what I have now, just drains me.
I need a change...
I DON'T want to change jobs. Granted, there are some advantages: my severance payment would probably get rid of our current debt. (not mortgage, tho') Perhaps I will find something MUCH MUCH MUCH BETTER!!! Optimism aside, the current salary and benefits I enjoy took a long time to build. Starting over somewhere else would put a SERIOUS crimp in our finances. The thought of slogging along for several years to recover what I have now, just drains me.
Thursday, February 21, 2002
Been sick...kids got the flu, wife has the flu, I had the flu...monday was NO FUN AT ALL...
Missed a day of work, too...
My little son seems to be in the early stages at this point. I hope he'll be alright. I guess that's what children's pepto is for, right? Or whatever -- my wife usually plays "Dr. Mom".
Had the strangest dream last night...watched a homemade sci-fi flick done by the geeks I used to hang with in High School...boy, does THAT take me back! -- I realized I don't even remember half their names now...Should write Hutch a letter and let 'im know I'm thinking (he'll be impressed). Wish I could chat with Don daytimes - now that I'm working nights again - but he keeps his ICQ turned off when he's at work. Good thing, too -- blighter wouldn't get any work done otherwise!
Missed a day of work, too...
My little son seems to be in the early stages at this point. I hope he'll be alright. I guess that's what children's pepto is for, right? Or whatever -- my wife usually plays "Dr. Mom".
Had the strangest dream last night...watched a homemade sci-fi flick done by the geeks I used to hang with in High School...boy, does THAT take me back! -- I realized I don't even remember half their names now...Should write Hutch a letter and let 'im know I'm thinking (he'll be impressed). Wish I could chat with Don daytimes - now that I'm working nights again - but he keeps his ICQ turned off when he's at work. Good thing, too -- blighter wouldn't get any work done otherwise!
Monday, February 18, 2002
How about...some short story scraps? Mebbe I can C&P some of those .hed files in here and put them up for all the world (ha ha) to see...or maybe tell y'all about my junker car.
A car officially achieves junker status when you have to start attaching pieces of other cars to it to make it run and/or hold it together. --original quote by brianarc...
We have a '90 Chev Tracker that needed part of the engine firewall replaced because it rusted through and the clutch linkage broke. Needed new clutch linkage, tacked piece of another wreck over hole to fix the firewall. Had all this automotive fun during the worst blizzard (perhaps only!) we've had this winter. Was fun getting car out of driveway afterward: E-brake cable froze up. Cannot afford to replace junker at present, will need to lay on extra layers of bubblegum and chicken wire to hold it together another 2-3 years.
A car officially achieves junker status when you have to start attaching pieces of other cars to it to make it run and/or hold it together. --original quote by brianarc...
We have a '90 Chev Tracker that needed part of the engine firewall replaced because it rusted through and the clutch linkage broke. Needed new clutch linkage, tacked piece of another wreck over hole to fix the firewall. Had all this automotive fun during the worst blizzard (perhaps only!) we've had this winter. Was fun getting car out of driveway afterward: E-brake cable froze up. Cannot afford to replace junker at present, will need to lay on extra layers of bubblegum and chicken wire to hold it together another 2-3 years.
Sunday, February 17, 2002
Been a lot of traffic in the Canadian Media lately about the new Gold Medal winners in Olympic Pairs Skating. Even the Ufie's are on the bandwagon. Allegations and resignations are flying...and medal standings are being re-arranged...
Anyone remember Elizabeth Manley???
C'mon! You HAVE to remember...it was only an Olympics or two ago! Elizabeth Manley, the only one of the three medal winners in Womens Figure Skating who NAILED her program...and ended up with Silver because the judging panel over-marked one of the two "dueling Carmens". What a farce...
And if we only suspected then that there were political and other backroom deals going on, well, we sure as shootin' KNOW it now...
Betwixt all the scandals with the IOC and getting the games to Salt Lake...and now THIS...the Olympics are beginning to lose what little credibility they once had -- can the games survive? Look for some soul searching and navel-gazing in the New York Times...if they can ever get the eyeglass OFF Afghanistan and Osama Bin Laden.
BTW, we Canucks already KNOW they won the Gold...we don't want the d*mn medal...we want a return of the integrity and honor that USED to mark 'amatuer' sport.
Anyone remember Elizabeth Manley???
C'mon! You HAVE to remember...it was only an Olympics or two ago! Elizabeth Manley, the only one of the three medal winners in Womens Figure Skating who NAILED her program...and ended up with Silver because the judging panel over-marked one of the two "dueling Carmens". What a farce...
And if we only suspected then that there were political and other backroom deals going on, well, we sure as shootin' KNOW it now...
Betwixt all the scandals with the IOC and getting the games to Salt Lake...and now THIS...the Olympics are beginning to lose what little credibility they once had -- can the games survive? Look for some soul searching and navel-gazing in the New York Times...if they can ever get the eyeglass OFF Afghanistan and Osama Bin Laden.
BTW, we Canucks already KNOW they won the Gold...we don't want the d*mn medal...we want a return of the integrity and honor that USED to mark 'amatuer' sport.
Saturday, February 16, 2002
Yes, but can Anarchy do THIS?...
1. Legalizing Prostitution will not make being a prostitute safe, or healthy.
2. Legalizing Marijuana will not make addiction go away. It will not reduce the traffic in harder drugs..
3. Taxing Cigarettes won't reduce deaths from lung cancer.
4. Barring Tobacco companies from hosting major entertainment events (or advertising at the ones they are permitted to host) won't stop people buying cigarettes, nor will it prevent kids from taking up smoking.
5. Allowing Tobacco companies to advertise in whatever media they want will not prevent people from quitting smoking. It might make it more difficult to quit for those who are trying, but it won't stop them...
6. Taking all handguns away will not eliminate violent crime.
7. Giving every citizen permission to carry a handgun won't eliminate violent crime, either; but, generally speaking, it will tend to put the victims and the perpetrators on a more-or-less even footing.
8. Eliminating taxes will not eliminate the need to pay for the services and infrastructure that support your family and your community. It will not guarantee prosperity; either.
9. Reducing taxes will not reduce the number of tax cheats; it will also not reduce the number of honest citizens.
10. Putting more and better computers in schools won't teach kids to read books.
11. Censoring books, movies, TV and videogames will not eliminate parent's responsibility for their children's ethical development and discipline.
12. Privatizing Healthcare won't convince more people to take better care of themselves.
13. Universal Healthcare programs...aren't.
14. Making Auto Insurance more affordable won't eliminate insurance fraud. It won't reduce the number of claims, either.
15. Sex Education and Condom Machines in Schools won't curb teenage promiscuity. They won't eliminate teenage pregnancy. They won't reduce the spread of STD's.
16. Government concessions to special interest groups won't redress the wrongs these groups are using as leverage. Settling Aboriginal claims will not bring back the buffalo, give aboriginal nations back their dignity, or take away the blight of the white man from 'their' land. Giving the Mentally Challenged the right to vote, to marry, or to reproduce will not eliminate the inequality under which they live due to their condition. Giving Homosexuals the right to marry for tax purposes will not make their union any more legitimate.
17. Unbiased and Objective Media Coverage -- usually isn't...
18. Bringing back Capital Punishment will not effectively deter violent criminals. It will, however, cut down the number of repeat offenders.
19. It is moral cowardice to support Capital Punishment unless YOU are prepared to be falsely accused, wrongfully arrested, tried without due process, unjustly convicted and summarily executed. If you can accept all of these as possible (however likely or unlikely they may be), then you accept the full moral implications of Capital Punishment.
20. Euthanasia has been offered as the compassionate solution to a Medical Science that has seemingly outstripped the Ethos of Society. We can now keep mindless bodies alive for months, even years, after life in the conscious sense has ceased. The only solution seems to be for each individual to make a conscious choice beforehand; "being in sound mind and body", and have that choice documented. Otherwise, someone else will have to decide for you, and what sane person wants that kind of burden? The other half of the equation is to have that documented preference honored by the Medical Profession.
21. Abortion is a really lousy method of birth control. There are far cheaper, and less traumatic, methods.
22. Abstinence is still the most effective means of birth control. It will likely remain the most effective method until the end of time.
23. A woman has a right to control her own reproductive system. She is also responsible for what she does with it.
24. A man who fathers a child with no ability to/intention of support(ing) the child and its mother; should NOT be castrated. He should be vasectomized.
25. In the era of shrinking budgets, bursting classrooms, and academic fads; we find that Universal Free Education...is not any of these.
26. War is never a good idea. It may sometimes SEEM necessary, but it is NEVER a good idea.
27. Appeasement is never a good idea. It may sometimes SEEM necessary, but it is NEVER a good idea.
28. Eating Meat is an acquired taste. Anyone who thinks that vegans are whacko should try being one for six weeks; then switch back. It's amazing what you can taste when you've lost your ability to filter out certain odors and flavors. For anyone without that filtering ability; meat really does stink.
29. The poor WILL always be with us...
30. It costs less to raise a child in poverty than it does to raise a child with wealth and privilege. In the past, poor families tended to be larger because of this fact. Now, raising a child in poverty means a visit from the "children's services" bureaucracy; so, not many people are raising large families.
31. Confiscating the wealth and property of the rich will not make everyone rich. Giving everyone an equal opportunity to become rich may not make everyone rich, either, but it's a more workable plan.
32. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" isn't just a moral homily - it's an observable and verifiable phenomenon.
33. Give a man a fish, and you have fed him a meal - TEACH a man to fish, and you'd better be prepared to re-stock the lake.
34. Solidarity is wonderful, there is real strength and security in numbers; there is also inconvenience, compromise, groupthink, and the herd mentality.
35. Leading a disciplined, rational, moral, and even pious life is NOT some sort of mental abberation. Being considered 'normal' in an insane society is NOT an honor to be sought after.
36. Given absolute freedom to do whatever they want, most people will do what their neighbors are doing.
37. Assuming there is a God, He is probably quite insulted by all the debate over His existence. After all, if you were God, would you want YOUR kids debating your existence? You would probably think that they were not quite right.
38. Ron Jeremy: (well known male porn star) "Anyone who thinks pornography exploits only women should look at the books". Salary-wise, male porn stars are getting 'shafted' too.
39. Child pornography is NOT about love. It is not even about tittilation. It is about the despoilation of innocence - the ultimate triumph for those who have lost their souls. It is evil.
40. You can live free and die free, or you can live as a slave and die as a slave. As you're going to die anyway; you may as well live on your own terms.
41. Suicide is a final escape for the slave.
42. Samuel Clemens: (Mark Twain) "Never let what you learn in school interfere with your education".
43. Freedom is the ability to go where you will, do what you will, say what you wish and choose your associations without interference. The scope of this ability increases with the amount of preparation done. This is the essence of self-reliance: the more you can do for yourself, the better prepared you will be; the better prepared you are, the more able you are to exercise, and defend, your freedom.
44. To be free and not fear is the goal of every man who loves liberty. To be free FROM fear is the illusion of the cowardly.
45. Separation of church and state works: suppression of one for the benefit of the other, does not work.
46. Just Drive, ok?
47. Morality is the learned ability to exercise restraint over your own impulses for the benefit of others; even though they may not appreciate it, or even be aware of it. It requires an acute awareness of what is right and what is wrong.
48a. Larry Niven: "There exist minds that think as well as you do, but differently."
48b. Corrolary: "The gene-tampered Turkey you're talking to isn't necessarily one of them."
49. All crimes against an individual can be reduced to property crimes: Murder is theft of Life. Slander is theft of a good reputation. Rape is theft of Innocence. Fraud is theft of Trust.
50. The Scientific Method is a Fraud.
51. ALWAYS use the right tool for the job.
52. A little knowledge IS a dangerous thing. Any less can get you killed.
53. Women give sex to get love. Men give love to get sex. Unfortunately, both are able to 'fake it'.
54. Friends will help you move. REAL friends will help you move a body.
55. Never elect a popular political candidate and then expect him to follow through on unpopular promises. An easygoing candidate does not, generally speaking, have the cohones to make the hard decisions that must occasionally be made.
56. Government is not the problem. People who make their living off the Government (in whatever manner or capacity) are the problem. Your average elected representative is just as frustrated as you are by burgeoning bureaucracy.
57. Some people will never be satisfied until they have EVERYTHING their neighbors have. This is why Hawaii has an interstate highway.
58. Aids is not a punishment from God. It IS proof that God knew what he was talking about.
59. Ferris Beuller: "Life goes by pretty fast, if you don't stop once in a while and look around, you could miss it."
60. People are better at policing themselves than they are at being policed...as long as there is an incentive to do so.
61. Abortion on demand makes about as much sense as Euthanasia on demand; especially as the ones most affected don't have any say in the matter.
62. L. Ron Hubbard: "Good art displays a level of technical expertise sufficient to evoke an emotional response."
63. Wherever you find a vehemently argued and passionately defended viewpoint in conflict with its polar opposite, the truth of whichever principle or event that is being debated will usually be found somewhere between the two extreme views. This observation does not apply to matters of Life and Death.
64. Socrates: "By this you may know a wise man: that all the fools are in league against him."
65. You should love people and use things; it just doesn't work the other way 'round.
66. Buckley's Mixture will not cure your cold; merely throttle it into submission.
67. History NEVER repeats itself. Human nature constantly repeats itself. Those who do not learn the lessons of the past, can look forward to making the same mistakes in the future.
68. Mankind cannot destroy the earth. Even if we reduced this planet to a radioactive cinder, some sort of life would come along eventually and take hold. We cannot save the earth, either; but we MAY be able to save ourselves.
69. Never trust an altruist, he'll sell you out for the sake of a 'higher purpose'.
70. Anyone who says "it's easy as taking candy from a baby", never tried taking candy from a baby.
71. Making money successfully in the markets is not a game, it is not a hobby, it is not even a career...It's a lifestyle. Look at those who are most successful at it: they have committed their lives to it, almost to the exclusion of all other pursuits. There is an almost religious devotion evident.
72. Learn to play chess. You don't have to become a Grand Master, or even a good player; just learn to play.
73. One year from now, you will essentially be the same person you are at this moment. Two factors may make a difference: the books you read, and the people you meet.
74. Amateur Astronomy is a worthy pursuit. If the Solar System is our neighborhood, most people don't know enough about it to find the nearest corner store.
75. Keep a journal. How else are you going to get a good look at who you were?
76. Always pay cash. Credit debt can literally stress you to death.
77. The Great Secret of Wealth: own few things, control many things.
78. An easy way to become a millionaire is to teach 10 people to become millionaires, in return for a 10% cut.
79. Three Unbreakable Rules of The Road: 1. Always stop at a blind corner. 2. Never back up in traffic. 3. Always LOOK before you change direction.
80. Character is what you are in the dark.
81. Youth violence stems partially from the fact that we are counting on the state to raise our children as good little citizens. We should instead be raising them ourselves to be honorable Men and Women. This is difficult when: 1. You don't know what honor is, 2. You wouldn't know how to teach it even if you did, 3. You can't be bothered to teach even if you knew how...
82. Frugality is a way of life.
83. Always expect an unpopular (elected!) politician to propose unpopular policies...and follow through on them -- after all, he's got nothing to lose until re-election time.
84. Learn to do as much for yourself as you can. Become a Generalist. After all, "specialization is for insects" (Robert Heinlein).
85. "Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door" -- Unless the mousetrap industry has a powerful government lobby, or the environmental movement determines that your invention threatens the mice's right to exist.
86. Philosophy is the opiate of the intelligentsia.
87. It is statistically impossible for everyone and everything about a particular subject to be wrong. Truth exists. It can always be found somewhere and it is always known by someone. The difficulty lies in determining which person or source has the truth you are seeking.
88. Often the most elegant solution to a problem is the one that requires the most preparation.
89. In a world where complete honesty is a dream and an ideal, only dreamers and idealists are being completely honest.
90. The Gospel of Jesus Christ was given to comfort the afflicted -- and afflict the comfortable.
91. It's not Paranoia if 'They' really ARE out to get you...
92. A thing is worth only what someone will pay for it.
93. Ayn Rand was right about one thing: the only moral basis human beings have for dealing with each other is free and equal exchange: value freely given for value received.
94. Sir Richard Francis Burton: "The fortune of a man who sits, sits also."
95. When taxes are revolting, so should citizens be...
96. Pornography is Prostitution as a spectator sport.
97. Voyeurism is Sex as a spectator sport.
98. Sex can be beautiful, sacred, and profoundly touching. It can also be common, absurd, and pointless. The same goes for religious belief. It all depends whether or not you wish to savor, or ridicule...Those who ridicule have missed the point entirely.
99. A Free Press is a wonderful thing...especially where 'free' is defined as 'responsible' and managing editors (and the politicians they enjoy a symbiotic relationship with) determine what is and is not 'responsible'.
100. Clean Fuels, Free Energy, cures for Cancer and other deadly diseases...NONE of these things are going to be handed to you. You and I will just have to work for them and struggle against the status quo the same way our forbears did for the Automobile, Electricity, and the Telephone.
I began writing the above partially to answer some of the claims made by the more strident elements in the Libertarian Movement. There seems to be a lot of call for 'simple solutions' to be enacted to solve one or more of society's ongoing ills. There is a general feeling that those in power should DO something. Of course, the proposed solutions seldom address the REAL issues, which I tried to point out here.
Some of the wisdom collected here came from my two year stint as a Missionary for the LDS Church (you'll know 'em when you see 'em). A few come from my parents (you might be surprised if you knew which!), and, of course, the rest gather from my own experience.
I am in the unenviable position of having to stand by these statements. Some are a little vague; perhaps too open to interpretation, but I stand by them just the same. Your interpretations are your own business, I know what I meant...I think.
You may agree or disagree with some or all of what I have to say here...quite frankly, I might be wrong in one or two (or more) instances...that is to say, I don't think I'm wrong -- but I would not be too surprised to find out that I was wrong. As to the quotes I picked up from various people and sources along the way; well, make of them what you will. I have no doubt that there are other nuggets of wisdom voiced by the great and near-great that deserve to be here...but I don't know about them. Pardon my ignorance, and enjoy...
1. Legalizing Prostitution will not make being a prostitute safe, or healthy.
2. Legalizing Marijuana will not make addiction go away. It will not reduce the traffic in harder drugs..
3. Taxing Cigarettes won't reduce deaths from lung cancer.
4. Barring Tobacco companies from hosting major entertainment events (or advertising at the ones they are permitted to host) won't stop people buying cigarettes, nor will it prevent kids from taking up smoking.
5. Allowing Tobacco companies to advertise in whatever media they want will not prevent people from quitting smoking. It might make it more difficult to quit for those who are trying, but it won't stop them...
6. Taking all handguns away will not eliminate violent crime.
7. Giving every citizen permission to carry a handgun won't eliminate violent crime, either; but, generally speaking, it will tend to put the victims and the perpetrators on a more-or-less even footing.
8. Eliminating taxes will not eliminate the need to pay for the services and infrastructure that support your family and your community. It will not guarantee prosperity; either.
9. Reducing taxes will not reduce the number of tax cheats; it will also not reduce the number of honest citizens.
10. Putting more and better computers in schools won't teach kids to read books.
11. Censoring books, movies, TV and videogames will not eliminate parent's responsibility for their children's ethical development and discipline.
12. Privatizing Healthcare won't convince more people to take better care of themselves.
13. Universal Healthcare programs...aren't.
14. Making Auto Insurance more affordable won't eliminate insurance fraud. It won't reduce the number of claims, either.
15. Sex Education and Condom Machines in Schools won't curb teenage promiscuity. They won't eliminate teenage pregnancy. They won't reduce the spread of STD's.
16. Government concessions to special interest groups won't redress the wrongs these groups are using as leverage. Settling Aboriginal claims will not bring back the buffalo, give aboriginal nations back their dignity, or take away the blight of the white man from 'their' land. Giving the Mentally Challenged the right to vote, to marry, or to reproduce will not eliminate the inequality under which they live due to their condition. Giving Homosexuals the right to marry for tax purposes will not make their union any more legitimate.
17. Unbiased and Objective Media Coverage -- usually isn't...
18. Bringing back Capital Punishment will not effectively deter violent criminals. It will, however, cut down the number of repeat offenders.
19. It is moral cowardice to support Capital Punishment unless YOU are prepared to be falsely accused, wrongfully arrested, tried without due process, unjustly convicted and summarily executed. If you can accept all of these as possible (however likely or unlikely they may be), then you accept the full moral implications of Capital Punishment.
20. Euthanasia has been offered as the compassionate solution to a Medical Science that has seemingly outstripped the Ethos of Society. We can now keep mindless bodies alive for months, even years, after life in the conscious sense has ceased. The only solution seems to be for each individual to make a conscious choice beforehand; "being in sound mind and body", and have that choice documented. Otherwise, someone else will have to decide for you, and what sane person wants that kind of burden? The other half of the equation is to have that documented preference honored by the Medical Profession.
21. Abortion is a really lousy method of birth control. There are far cheaper, and less traumatic, methods.
22. Abstinence is still the most effective means of birth control. It will likely remain the most effective method until the end of time.
23. A woman has a right to control her own reproductive system. She is also responsible for what she does with it.
24. A man who fathers a child with no ability to/intention of support(ing) the child and its mother; should NOT be castrated. He should be vasectomized.
25. In the era of shrinking budgets, bursting classrooms, and academic fads; we find that Universal Free Education...is not any of these.
26. War is never a good idea. It may sometimes SEEM necessary, but it is NEVER a good idea.
27. Appeasement is never a good idea. It may sometimes SEEM necessary, but it is NEVER a good idea.
28. Eating Meat is an acquired taste. Anyone who thinks that vegans are whacko should try being one for six weeks; then switch back. It's amazing what you can taste when you've lost your ability to filter out certain odors and flavors. For anyone without that filtering ability; meat really does stink.
29. The poor WILL always be with us...
30. It costs less to raise a child in poverty than it does to raise a child with wealth and privilege. In the past, poor families tended to be larger because of this fact. Now, raising a child in poverty means a visit from the "children's services" bureaucracy; so, not many people are raising large families.
31. Confiscating the wealth and property of the rich will not make everyone rich. Giving everyone an equal opportunity to become rich may not make everyone rich, either, but it's a more workable plan.
32. "Do unto others as you would have them do unto you" isn't just a moral homily - it's an observable and verifiable phenomenon.
33. Give a man a fish, and you have fed him a meal - TEACH a man to fish, and you'd better be prepared to re-stock the lake.
34. Solidarity is wonderful, there is real strength and security in numbers; there is also inconvenience, compromise, groupthink, and the herd mentality.
35. Leading a disciplined, rational, moral, and even pious life is NOT some sort of mental abberation. Being considered 'normal' in an insane society is NOT an honor to be sought after.
36. Given absolute freedom to do whatever they want, most people will do what their neighbors are doing.
37. Assuming there is a God, He is probably quite insulted by all the debate over His existence. After all, if you were God, would you want YOUR kids debating your existence? You would probably think that they were not quite right.
38. Ron Jeremy: (well known male porn star) "Anyone who thinks pornography exploits only women should look at the books". Salary-wise, male porn stars are getting 'shafted' too.
39. Child pornography is NOT about love. It is not even about tittilation. It is about the despoilation of innocence - the ultimate triumph for those who have lost their souls. It is evil.
40. You can live free and die free, or you can live as a slave and die as a slave. As you're going to die anyway; you may as well live on your own terms.
41. Suicide is a final escape for the slave.
42. Samuel Clemens: (Mark Twain) "Never let what you learn in school interfere with your education".
43. Freedom is the ability to go where you will, do what you will, say what you wish and choose your associations without interference. The scope of this ability increases with the amount of preparation done. This is the essence of self-reliance: the more you can do for yourself, the better prepared you will be; the better prepared you are, the more able you are to exercise, and defend, your freedom.
44. To be free and not fear is the goal of every man who loves liberty. To be free FROM fear is the illusion of the cowardly.
45. Separation of church and state works: suppression of one for the benefit of the other, does not work.
46. Just Drive, ok?
47. Morality is the learned ability to exercise restraint over your own impulses for the benefit of others; even though they may not appreciate it, or even be aware of it. It requires an acute awareness of what is right and what is wrong.
48a. Larry Niven: "There exist minds that think as well as you do, but differently."
48b. Corrolary: "The gene-tampered Turkey you're talking to isn't necessarily one of them."
49. All crimes against an individual can be reduced to property crimes: Murder is theft of Life. Slander is theft of a good reputation. Rape is theft of Innocence. Fraud is theft of Trust.
50. The Scientific Method is a Fraud.
51. ALWAYS use the right tool for the job.
52. A little knowledge IS a dangerous thing. Any less can get you killed.
53. Women give sex to get love. Men give love to get sex. Unfortunately, both are able to 'fake it'.
54. Friends will help you move. REAL friends will help you move a body.
55. Never elect a popular political candidate and then expect him to follow through on unpopular promises. An easygoing candidate does not, generally speaking, have the cohones to make the hard decisions that must occasionally be made.
56. Government is not the problem. People who make their living off the Government (in whatever manner or capacity) are the problem. Your average elected representative is just as frustrated as you are by burgeoning bureaucracy.
57. Some people will never be satisfied until they have EVERYTHING their neighbors have. This is why Hawaii has an interstate highway.
58. Aids is not a punishment from God. It IS proof that God knew what he was talking about.
59. Ferris Beuller: "Life goes by pretty fast, if you don't stop once in a while and look around, you could miss it."
60. People are better at policing themselves than they are at being policed...as long as there is an incentive to do so.
61. Abortion on demand makes about as much sense as Euthanasia on demand; especially as the ones most affected don't have any say in the matter.
62. L. Ron Hubbard: "Good art displays a level of technical expertise sufficient to evoke an emotional response."
63. Wherever you find a vehemently argued and passionately defended viewpoint in conflict with its polar opposite, the truth of whichever principle or event that is being debated will usually be found somewhere between the two extreme views. This observation does not apply to matters of Life and Death.
64. Socrates: "By this you may know a wise man: that all the fools are in league against him."
65. You should love people and use things; it just doesn't work the other way 'round.
66. Buckley's Mixture will not cure your cold; merely throttle it into submission.
67. History NEVER repeats itself. Human nature constantly repeats itself. Those who do not learn the lessons of the past, can look forward to making the same mistakes in the future.
68. Mankind cannot destroy the earth. Even if we reduced this planet to a radioactive cinder, some sort of life would come along eventually and take hold. We cannot save the earth, either; but we MAY be able to save ourselves.
69. Never trust an altruist, he'll sell you out for the sake of a 'higher purpose'.
70. Anyone who says "it's easy as taking candy from a baby", never tried taking candy from a baby.
71. Making money successfully in the markets is not a game, it is not a hobby, it is not even a career...It's a lifestyle. Look at those who are most successful at it: they have committed their lives to it, almost to the exclusion of all other pursuits. There is an almost religious devotion evident.
72. Learn to play chess. You don't have to become a Grand Master, or even a good player; just learn to play.
73. One year from now, you will essentially be the same person you are at this moment. Two factors may make a difference: the books you read, and the people you meet.
74. Amateur Astronomy is a worthy pursuit. If the Solar System is our neighborhood, most people don't know enough about it to find the nearest corner store.
75. Keep a journal. How else are you going to get a good look at who you were?
76. Always pay cash. Credit debt can literally stress you to death.
77. The Great Secret of Wealth: own few things, control many things.
78. An easy way to become a millionaire is to teach 10 people to become millionaires, in return for a 10% cut.
79. Three Unbreakable Rules of The Road: 1. Always stop at a blind corner. 2. Never back up in traffic. 3. Always LOOK before you change direction.
80. Character is what you are in the dark.
81. Youth violence stems partially from the fact that we are counting on the state to raise our children as good little citizens. We should instead be raising them ourselves to be honorable Men and Women. This is difficult when: 1. You don't know what honor is, 2. You wouldn't know how to teach it even if you did, 3. You can't be bothered to teach even if you knew how...
82. Frugality is a way of life.
83. Always expect an unpopular (elected!) politician to propose unpopular policies...and follow through on them -- after all, he's got nothing to lose until re-election time.
84. Learn to do as much for yourself as you can. Become a Generalist. After all, "specialization is for insects" (Robert Heinlein).
85. "Build a better mousetrap and the world will beat a path to your door" -- Unless the mousetrap industry has a powerful government lobby, or the environmental movement determines that your invention threatens the mice's right to exist.
86. Philosophy is the opiate of the intelligentsia.
87. It is statistically impossible for everyone and everything about a particular subject to be wrong. Truth exists. It can always be found somewhere and it is always known by someone. The difficulty lies in determining which person or source has the truth you are seeking.
88. Often the most elegant solution to a problem is the one that requires the most preparation.
89. In a world where complete honesty is a dream and an ideal, only dreamers and idealists are being completely honest.
90. The Gospel of Jesus Christ was given to comfort the afflicted -- and afflict the comfortable.
91. It's not Paranoia if 'They' really ARE out to get you...
92. A thing is worth only what someone will pay for it.
93. Ayn Rand was right about one thing: the only moral basis human beings have for dealing with each other is free and equal exchange: value freely given for value received.
94. Sir Richard Francis Burton: "The fortune of a man who sits, sits also."
95. When taxes are revolting, so should citizens be...
96. Pornography is Prostitution as a spectator sport.
97. Voyeurism is Sex as a spectator sport.
98. Sex can be beautiful, sacred, and profoundly touching. It can also be common, absurd, and pointless. The same goes for religious belief. It all depends whether or not you wish to savor, or ridicule...Those who ridicule have missed the point entirely.
99. A Free Press is a wonderful thing...especially where 'free' is defined as 'responsible' and managing editors (and the politicians they enjoy a symbiotic relationship with) determine what is and is not 'responsible'.
100. Clean Fuels, Free Energy, cures for Cancer and other deadly diseases...NONE of these things are going to be handed to you. You and I will just have to work for them and struggle against the status quo the same way our forbears did for the Automobile, Electricity, and the Telephone.
I began writing the above partially to answer some of the claims made by the more strident elements in the Libertarian Movement. There seems to be a lot of call for 'simple solutions' to be enacted to solve one or more of society's ongoing ills. There is a general feeling that those in power should DO something. Of course, the proposed solutions seldom address the REAL issues, which I tried to point out here.
Some of the wisdom collected here came from my two year stint as a Missionary for the LDS Church (you'll know 'em when you see 'em). A few come from my parents (you might be surprised if you knew which!), and, of course, the rest gather from my own experience.
I am in the unenviable position of having to stand by these statements. Some are a little vague; perhaps too open to interpretation, but I stand by them just the same. Your interpretations are your own business, I know what I meant...I think.
You may agree or disagree with some or all of what I have to say here...quite frankly, I might be wrong in one or two (or more) instances...that is to say, I don't think I'm wrong -- but I would not be too surprised to find out that I was wrong. As to the quotes I picked up from various people and sources along the way; well, make of them what you will. I have no doubt that there are other nuggets of wisdom voiced by the great and near-great that deserve to be here...but I don't know about them. Pardon my ignorance, and enjoy...
Tuesday, February 12, 2002
12 Feb, 2002
I just checked out the "writings and ramblings" archive disk I've been meaning to dump back into this system's HD...mostly old resume's -- boring stuff!!! Will check out some journal entries and some of my 'political' rantings and see if I can come up with anything interesting...
I am also writing a book about cycle commuting for beginners...working title "how I lost 40 lbs sitting on my ass"...THAT oughta get 'em...mebbe I'll push it out here and see what kind of feedback flies...
My little son (3 years old, "trained" and terribly cute) is insisting we go outside now...I have to finish up the rebuild on my Schwinn hardtail...so I think I will write more tomorrow.
I just checked out the "writings and ramblings" archive disk I've been meaning to dump back into this system's HD...mostly old resume's -- boring stuff!!! Will check out some journal entries and some of my 'political' rantings and see if I can come up with anything interesting...
I am also writing a book about cycle commuting for beginners...working title "how I lost 40 lbs sitting on my ass"...THAT oughta get 'em...mebbe I'll push it out here and see what kind of feedback flies...
My little son (3 years old, "trained" and terribly cute) is insisting we go outside now...I have to finish up the rebuild on my Schwinn hardtail...so I think I will write more tomorrow.