oh, where were these 4 years ago?

Perfect.


http://www.diamondvues.com/2007/02/binary_wedding_bands_geeks_nee_1.html

Hey Sis-

Just heard about my sister's new blog. Man, she just keeps getting cooler! It's mainly about her experiences as one of only three women in her sheet metal union. Pretty interesting read.

Speaking of Big Sis, she and her daughter (aka my niece) came to visit last November to see us (of course) and also check out the Pow Wow at the Toronto Aboriginal festival.


Not only was the pow wow a very interesting cultural event, but even better was having the opportunity to really get re-acquainted with my sister. Although we have kept in touch over the years, we really haven't been close since we were teenagers and both left home on our individual life adventures. We seem to finally be getting to know each other again and I hope it continues.

Also, my niece and GB's niece had a chance to meet again. They hadn't seen each other since our wedding three years ago when they were both junior bride's maids and were fast friends.

So here's to old friends, grass dances, Greek food and powerful women! See you in June, sis!

Dishes

Something that has bothered me the last few times we've had dinner parties is not having enough dishes to serve our guests with. Twice we've run out of plates and had to improvise. I decided after Christmas that I wanted to start looking for a replacement set from our current dishes, that come from GB's single life, and, although nice, are not quite as sophisticated as I would like. I've been looking for something that's nice enough for dinner parties but durable enough to use everyday, oh, and not ridiculously expensive. I've had a lot of fun these past few weeks surfing many dinnerware web sites.

I was finally able to drag GB out to William Ashley, who are having an amazing sale right now (with a warning of course that his patience would be limited - I think he'd rather have a root canal than go shopping - I, on the other hand could spend hours in that store just browsing!).

During our 1.5 hour endeavor (which far surpassed GB's new measure of shopping patience - the time it took for our coffees that we had to leave at the door to get cold), we managed to talk our selves into considering a ridiculously expensive set of formal dinnerware on top of the casual set we also planned to purchase. Luckily, we had the sensibility to "take some time to think about it", and when walking out the door we passed a quite nice set that was, I kid you not - one eighth the price! Granted, it wasn't quite as nice as the other set, but to GB's point, we'd like to have dishes that we would feel sick if someone accidentally broke one.

So, we were able to bring our casual set, Pfaltzgraff Sphere in green, home with us today, while our formal set (Mikasa Cameo Platinum) is on order. After unpacking, washing, and rearranging the cupboards (what fun!), taking a good look at our dishes, I'm tempted to say, they are actually good enough for entertaining, and maybe we should forgo the formal set altogether. I'll need to think on it, but we do have a few weeks. It just seems silly to have an extra set of dishes that you bring out only once or twice a year. We'll see...

The Honeymoon is Officially Over

No, not CB and I, but rather Apple and I.

In early 2006, work kindly furnished me with a high end Macbook Pro laptop. Our relationship was rosy from the beginning. Ah, we were young and optimistic. No wrong could be done. But I knew. I knew in the back of my mind that all things end.

The fan has been, oh, what's the word?... 'grinding'. 'Can't hear someone in the room speak' grinding. It has so far taken 32 days, 2 visits (leaving the laptop both times), 1 system planar (wtf!?) for Apple to NOT YET fix it.

I like OS X, I like the hardware (when it works), but man these folks are difficult to deal with. They make Dell look responsive. Add to this the fact that the new system planar is flaky and I'm seriously reconsidering advocating Macs.

On a related note, I read the other day in the National Post that, according to a recent study, the reason for nostalgia is that your brain gets a happy on when it remembers something. Anything. Our consciousness interprets this by associating the positive feeling with the memory itself, not the act of recall and presto: nostalgia. Hence I fully expect the love affair to begin again as soon as I get a new fan.

Just like Moms place

2 lbs of butter
3 cups of sugar
1 lb shorting
a couple bags of flour
raisins, sprinkles, maraschino cherries....
4 hours and 6 dozen goodies later....

We're getting ready for our first Christmas at CG place with Butter Tarts and Shortbread cookies...just like Mom's place.

Actually...

...Better than Battlestar Galactica

It's Battlestar Galactica good

Heroes.

Well, That Was Embarassing

Guess I lied about the photos. Too busy.

I'm at the tail end of a big software project and I'm overloaded up to here (imagine me with my arm stretched above my head). Needless to say, we are approaching things in the most painful fashion possible by trying to rush. I hate that about software companies.

Despite the work, I'm actually pretty upbeat. I've latched onto a new time management methodology and I'm quite enjoying it. This isn't so much for the software development side, which I have a pretty good handle on, but rather for all of the little stuff going on in my life (such as, say, blogging). I'm slowly moving into GTD (Getting Things Done), by David Allen. It's all about lists and reviewing and focusing on real, clearly defined actions. It seems to be working and it's forcing me to go through a major cleanup which always feels good even if I don't stick with his approach. It's not the kind of approach for everyone, but it seems to be very ideal for systematic types (read: 'programmers').

I'm not doing it fell-swoop (just realized I have no clue what that means exactly) as he recommends in the book simply because I don't have time (really don't have time) to set aside at this point. The whole premise is to get EVERYTHING that is on your mind into an external reliable system that reminds you when you need to deal with stuff. Beyond that, you focus on the real actions that are necessary to achieve whatever goals/commitments you set. I already deal with things sort of like that anyway, but... I now have no loose papers at work and my email inbox is empty. That's saying something.

Keeps on Ticking...

Fifty years, six kids, eleven grandchildren, two great-grandchildren, a few dozen pets, and a dozen or so prairie towns later and my parents are still going strong.

Congratulations, Mom and Dad!

CB and I just rolled back into the big T.O. after a long weekend in Saskatoon celebrating my parents 50th annivesary.

I admit that I still have a bit of a soft spot for Saskatchewan (despite a complete lack of desire to live there), but even with this colored perspective, it's hard to argue that Saskatoon in the fall is quite pretty. At least it was this weekend. I think we hit the three days during which the leaves turn and fall. We were on the sixth floor of the Sheraton across the street from the Bessborough Hotel (formerly a CP hotel; now a Delta) and had an amazing view of the river and the University and Broadview bridges.

The party was great fun. I managed to chat with family that I haven't seen in twenty or, in some cases, thirty years. It was very nostalgic and I think ... not sure, mind you ... that we brought my father to tears. Those of you who have heard my wife speak of my emotional detatchment (in less flattering terms) may be able to grasp the significance of this.

I'll post some photos tomorrow...

Green thumb? Brown thumb :(

Ok, so it turns out that part of having a nice garden means actually planting annual flowers, and actually watering it every now and then. Oh ya, and weeding comes in handy too.

After several weeks of neglect (due to our crazy schedule including being away every weekend!) and very little rain, things are getting droopy and brown, and a little out of control. Yes, I saw our Virginia Creeper creeping along about 20 feet of garden where it wasn't supposed to by. Man, I think that plant is actually a Triffid. Oh, and I won't even try to explain the pruning disaster with the forsythia.

There is very little flowering at the moment which, mixed with the drooping and brown, makes things look a little - less than impressive. Although the poppies still seem to be going - amazingly after about 7 weeks! I'm so glad I didn't pull them out when I thought they were weeds.

Finally having some inspiration, (and a day off) I decided to buy some flowers to plant and pretty up the barren front yard, but alas, when I arrived at the No Frills garden center, it was no more - just an empty parking lot. I guess that's what happens when you decide to start gardening mid August!

Anyway, here are some pics of more colourful days.

ps. any advise from all you gardening fanatics is more than welcome.

Some real video of Carolyn

OK, I had a request for youtubing Carolyn, so I decided to give it a go: Matsukazi Sandan

Carolyn's Black Belt Test

Carolyn and I sparring.

Omelets, sunshine and cedar

Well, my mom just left after a lovely long weekend with her coming to see my black belt test, then hanging around for a few more days. We did lots of mother-daughter things...chatting about family, gardening, shopping and puzzles. It was a great visit, and it reminds me of how much I miss living in the same city as her.

After a outdoor breakfast of omelets (or rather somewhat scrambled eggs), where I attempted (without success) to be as good a chef as GB, we sat chatting in the beautiful backyard garden for a while, then phoned a cab and said good-bye. I'm now sitting on the front porch, in what has to be one of Toronto's most perfect sunshine days. I can smell the cedar of our Maskoka chairs, feel the light summer breeze and hear the distant shouts of children playing. Ahhhhhhhh.

I'm also blogging to procrastinate on my homework for Toastmasters. I'm supposed to give my first "Icebreaker" speech this week...

CB puttin' her thang down

This is a little grainy because it is from video in a poorly lit room, but you get the idea.

Anachronistic Vacation

I'm still trying to get into the groove of blogging. I really really really meant to get to this done when we were in Montreal or shortly thereafter.

Anyhoo,

I happened to be in Montreal for IETF 66. That's a pretty strange group of folks, but I won't get into that here.

CB took care of all of the hotel arrangements. We picked Hotel Gault largely based on a recommendation from Lt. Dan and Nellie. The hotel is very art-deco and minimalist, which I normally don't like, but it was obviously designed very carefully and it struck me as very tranquil. It felt more like we were staying in an upscale condo than in a hotel. The concierge, Andre, was a real highlight. Very friendly. Loves his job. We kept asking him for restaurant recommendations with ridiculously vague requirements, but man did he step up. I suppose I should have just said we aren't particular to any specific type of food, but rather we were just looking for great food. It never seems to come out of my mouth the way it sounds in my head, though. In any case, we went with his recommendations both nights. On the Saturday night, he even bought us champagne to have before our meal.

I swear that the breakfast alone is worth the stay. Most of it was organic and ALL of it was top notch ingredients. There were all the staples plus a half dozen pastries and cakes, fresh berries, chocolate dipped fruit (including those little yellow tomatoes - mmmmm), exotic cheeses (I'm not talking sharp Cheddar here - a few of these we have never seen and trust me, CB knows her cheese); the list just goes in. Freakin' amazing.

Friday night we spent a romantic evening on the harbour front of Vieux (old) Montreal. We had a decent meal at Pier Gabriel. That may sound like it is not an overly positive recommendation, but bear in mind we were in probably the most touristy area of Montreal. It far exceeded my expectations. Afterwards, we wandered over to an amphitheatre and sat on some grass and bootlegged a reggae concert. We lounged; we cuddled (as much as I am capable of); we made fun of the teenage couple who literally stared into each others eyes for about thirty minutes without moving. Pretty sure they were high.

Saturday, we hoofed it up Mont-Royal. I guess I had never thought of it, but this was the first time I clued in as to where Montreal got its name. Talk about an embarrassing revelation. It was hot and humid, but a very nice walk none-the-less. Just as we reached Beaver Lake (I think that's the name), the skies opened and drenched the mountain. Fortunately for us there was shelter. We hunkered down for a bit and then eventually caught a bus.

Lt. Dan and Nellie had recommended Brewtopia, but we ended up at Les Trois Brasseries (both covered here). Unfortunately, CB's schedule did not allow us to wait for the 3pm opening of Brewtopia. Les Trois Brasseries was fun, though. Good food and they brew locally at each pub despite being a chain of sorts.

I'm not normally a fan of modern art (I really didn't like MOMA), but we decided to give it one more shot and we went to Montreal's Musee d'art contemporain de Montreal. There were some very notable exhibits. Oddly, as it seems too simple an idea, I actually found the temporary Projection Series exhibit the most interesting.

Saturday evening was spent at dinner at O Chalet. Unfortunately, by combining English and French when speaking to the cabbie, I told him I would like him "to take us to the cottage". He was very confused. So much so that he took us to the west end rather than the east end first. It didn't dampen our spirit however. We went adventurous and had the prix fixe. We were not disappointed.

Sunday we spent at the BioDome and the Royal Botanical Gardens. Now that is a full day. I would highly recommend the gardens to anyone visiting Montreal:



oh, breakfast! Gotta run.

You've come far, young padawan

After a whirlwind five years of training, CB has achieved her Black Belt. I can no longer use the tag line "it's a black belt thing" when she does not understand my idiosyncrasies. From now on, "it's an intermediate black belt thing" :)

CB has been training particularly hard under the scrutiny of our Sensei for the last few months and did a great job on the night of her test. I'm always amazed at the progress people make in the months leading up to their black belt. CB describes, correctly so, that at some point you just decide that you are ready and almost invariably within a few months of that, Sensei calls you out. This, of course, is followed by your thesis and months of [extra]intensive training.

Congrats CB. You were ready for the Kool-Aid and you embraced it (note to readers: CB HATES that phrase. I'm teasing her - which means I love her).

Ash

There is some part of 'inevitable' that just doesn't seem to register. Knowledge does nothing for grief when events unfold.

Ash died yesterday. We've known something was in the wings for a while, but, as CB pointed out, 'you just never think it will be today.' I don't think I have before experienced the passing of someone closer to me; pet or person. It was a tremendously intimate experience.

Grief has got to be the most selfish and self-indulgent of all of the emotions. It is also probably the most necessary of all the emotions. It allows us to accept and move on. We don't characterise it this way, but grieving and mourning are really for the survivors. No matter what your theology is, there is no downside to death for the deceased. The near-eastern and western religions believe, almost invariable, that you go to heaven. The only exceptions being those who don't play nice or those who don't complete the paperwork in time. I don't think animals are permitted into heaven in Christianity, but I'm sure there must be a loophole for pets. For atheists, everything is simply over. There is no consciousness remaining to be aware of itself. For cats who live in wealthy, North American households, the only truly problematic theologies are those involving reincarnation. They pretty much haven't got anywhere to go but down.

Ash was twenty one and in better shape than you might expect despite, or because of, the quantity and variety of her meds. We took her to the vet because she seemed to be winding down and it turns out she had a tumor crowding her other organs and was not eating as a consequence. Friends and family alike gave CB and I more than one good natured ribbing over the ends we would go to over Ash. Daily: fibre, Cosequin, and Lactulose on her low protien food, a tablet of Fortekor, a tablet of Amlodopine, a capsule of Calcitriol, oral gel to keep her gums healthy, and a bit of potassium paste to wash it all down. In her day, she has also had a blood transfusion (prior to us meeting) and spent a week at McMaster University receiving radiation therapy for a hyperactive thyroid gland.

I think most folks understand the attachment people have for their pets, but as strange as it sounds, I never really viewed Ash as a pet or a possession. Her life was my responsibility: food; shelter; comfort; friendship. That's pretty much the definition of a pet, but there is far more feeling that CB and I brought to the table than is reflected in that word. In the end, there were possible treatments for Ash, but she would have had a terrible quality of life for a short time, even if she survived. It was the easiest decision I ever made and yet the most full of regret.

It was a very dignified death. We spent some time with her. She was then sedated. We chose to be present when they injected her. Since her failing kidney's were diagnosed, Ash dying alone has been a weight on my mind. I was shocked how sudden she disappeared. Like the air ripping from your lungs when you plunge into icy water. But it was dignified.

P.S. In true Ash fashion, she did stick us with one hell-of-a bill on the way out.

We love you Ash, good bye

Ash

1985-2006

I love my garden

Wow, so it's been a while. Just checking in quickly to share some photo's of our garden.
It's been really amazing. I don't do a whole lot and yet these enormous green things just keep growing and growing from dirt and water!

This is mid may (ignore the year, apparently I'm also digital camera challenged and can't st the date right).

And it's amazing how much it filled in after just 10 days! (yes, this is the view after two glasses of Pimms)

The clematis in the back is just out of control. It already bloomed in early June with beautiful purple flowers with whit centers. Now it's full of buds again and has started blooming with a different dark purple flower! And I found out that the weed I almost pulled, but decided to give a chance is actually bright red poppies! And mom, that green thing that "doesn't do anything" sprouted some little purple flowers.

I'll post more pics when I figure out how to upload from the new camera G and I bought for our anniversary.

f*cking blinds

New blinds in the 'den' (converted third bedroom).

I've got to say they look nice, but I managed to bruise four knuckles (that would be 'most of them') on my right hand thanks to a tight fit.

Almost done. Now we just need patio furniture, new soffit/facia/eves, chairs for the front porch, garage reno, better backyard lighting, floor refinishing, mud-room insulation, roof insulation, floor insulation (front bedroom), new kitchen counter, skylight shutter, new back door, new front door, window frame caps, window frame sealant, stairs, sunk basement floor, chimney cap, concrete repointing, new basement bathroom fixtures, basement ceiling drywall, basement firedoor, and a solution to the banana peel mystery.

Actually, I'm humerously overstating things.

We aren't actually that worried about the banana peels.