Sunday, April 22, 2007
Saturday, April 21, 2007
Nothing happens when you click on this icon...
At a conference on the West coast this past week, we were treated to a motivational talk by Benjamin Zander. If you get the opportunity to hear him speak - grab that opportunity. If you find yourself with the ability to see him in person - don't let that pass you by. In his talk, he referred to a recording of his interpretation of one of Beethoven's movements "as it was originally intended" ... since I'm not a refined listener of classical music, I can best translate that as "even faster than you're used to hearing it." I'll have to track it down and let you know.
Oh yeah, Disneyland was cool too.
At a conference on the West coast this past week, we were treated to a motivational talk by Benjamin Zander. If you get the opportunity to hear him speak - grab that opportunity. If you find yourself with the ability to see him in person - don't let that pass you by. In his talk, he referred to a recording of his interpretation of one of Beethoven's movements "as it was originally intended" ... since I'm not a refined listener of classical music, I can best translate that as "even faster than you're used to hearing it." I'll have to track it down and let you know.
Oh yeah, Disneyland was cool too.
Wednesday, April 11, 2007
The following occurs between 10:10.17 and 10:10.19 ...
Jeez, in the manner of spontaneous combustion, I almost fell/slid off my chair at work just now.
In other news, the boy has stayed dry for over 48 hours (I can feel a relapse even as I type). Our method has been to "make him" go to the bathroom (or at least sit for a while) every hour, then every 90 minutes ... and now he's asking to go on occassion.
Jeez, in the manner of spontaneous combustion, I almost fell/slid off my chair at work just now.
In other news, the boy has stayed dry for over 48 hours (I can feel a relapse even as I type). Our method has been to "make him" go to the bathroom (or at least sit for a while) every hour, then every 90 minutes ... and now he's asking to go on occassion.
Tuesday, April 03, 2007
The Art of Deep Slumber
Note the maximum air intake potential.
Protective colouring in the cheek area that warns potential interlopers of pending danger of abrupt awakening.
The slightly damp fur is a known barometer of rest efficiency, measured to the 5th decile.
Slight abrasion around the frontal lobe is a marking found in nature showing the aggressive, predatory nature.
Note the maximum air intake potential.
Protective colouring in the cheek area that warns potential interlopers of pending danger of abrupt awakening.
The slightly damp fur is a known barometer of rest efficiency, measured to the 5th decile.
Slight abrasion around the frontal lobe is a marking found in nature showing the aggressive, predatory nature.
Wednesday, March 28, 2007
Saturday, March 24, 2007
Sunday, March 18, 2007
Tuesday, March 13, 2007
Here I sit, broken software ... no, that's not how it goes ...
As I sit waiting for Movie Maker to recover from a crash (nice that it recovers itself from temp files; not so nice that it crashed in the 1st place) ... it dawns on me that "big sis" e-mailed me earlier from a Blackberry; Nai-Nai has a better camera than me; and yet, I type this an a PC that's at least 2-generations old.
Good thing that Casio, is not available yet online.
As I sit waiting for Movie Maker to recover from a crash (nice that it recovers itself from temp files; not so nice that it crashed in the 1st place) ... it dawns on me that "big sis" e-mailed me earlier from a Blackberry; Nai-Nai has a better camera than me; and yet, I type this an a PC that's at least 2-generations old.
Good thing that Casio, is not available yet online.
Monday, March 12, 2007
Career choices
Just in case jazz-hands don't work out for the girl, she could always fall-back to ... falling back.
Looking for a new digital video recorder. Tried and tossed this ... (terrible video - everything looked like blair witch)
Upgraded and tried out this ... but it's gone back too. (No tripod mount. Poor battery life. Video quality not good enough for $'s.)
Waiting for this to show up within catch and release distance. It claims to support new MPEG4 part 10 compression for better quality while still using less memory space than my current digital camera. 7x optical zoom, usable in video mode too. Just have to get over ... it's a Casio?
For now, it's back to the Canon S2 IS and video life 8 minutes at a time (or low res). And really, is that so bad? (Check back later for my response.)
Upgraded and tried out this ... but it's gone back too. (No tripod mount. Poor battery life. Video quality not good enough for $'s.)
Waiting for this to show up within catch and release distance. It claims to support new MPEG4 part 10 compression for better quality while still using less memory space than my current digital camera. 7x optical zoom, usable in video mode too. Just have to get over ... it's a Casio?
For now, it's back to the Canon S2 IS and video life 8 minutes at a time (or low res). And really, is that so bad? (Check back later for my response.)
Saturday, March 10, 2007
Saturday, March 03, 2007
So, I've set up shop on blip.tv (see link on sidebar) ... we'll see how that works out. Using YT was ok, pretty easy to set up and upload clips, but too much noise and it got embarrassing to have my video's always classified next to ... well y'know ... you're gonna make me say it aren't you? Ok, I don't want my kids hanging out on YouTube watching - swimming! There should be some controls ... it's all there for the curious (and amphibious). Backstroke, dog-paddle, treading water ... and you divers aren't much better either.
Oh yeah, I finally moved to new blogger as well. To celebrate, I picked a more generic and drabber (drabberly?) theme.
Anyways, hope to have new pics of kids and other happenings ... it's just been too cold for my camera. With the freezing shutter, everything and everyone looks like LeMans ... (that would be "Daytona" for any Merickens that happen by here).
Oh yeah, I finally moved to new blogger as well. To celebrate, I picked a more generic and drabber (drabberly?) theme.
Anyways, hope to have new pics of kids and other happenings ... it's just been too cold for my camera. With the freezing shutter, everything and everyone looks like LeMans ... (that would be "Daytona" for any Merickens that happen by here).
Friday, January 26, 2007
This was the conversation yesterday morning with the boy (TB) ...
(TB) Daddy! I see a bus!
(Me) Yes, a school bus.
(TB) No!. Not school bus.
(Me) Yes. That's a school bus.
(TB) NO! NOT school bus!
(Me) Yes. School buses are orange.
(TB) NOOOOO! NOT SCHOOL BUS!
(Me), what colour is that bus?
(TB) Orange.
(Me) And what colour is a school bus?
(TB) Orange ...
(TB) That school bus?
(TB) Daddy! I see a bus!
(Me) Yes, a school bus.
(TB) No!. Not school bus.
(Me) Yes. That's a school bus.
(TB) NO! NOT school bus!
(Me) Yes. School buses are orange.
(TB) NOOOOO! NOT SCHOOL BUS!
(Me)
(TB) Orange.
(Me) And what colour is a school bus?
(TB) Orange ...
(TB) That school bus?
Friday, January 12, 2007
Monday, December 25, 2006
Merry Christmas all (burp). This was finished at about 11:30PM Xmas eve. It's a puppet theatre / store front for the kids.
It was supposed to be red and yellow but apparently I brought home a quart of decade old paint - thank you HD supply chain - your stock velocity is underwhelming. Good thing our local Wally's world was one of those open for 24 hours for your holiday convenience. Bad thing, they only had this brand that, instead of drying in 30-60 minutes, was rated to dry in 3-5 hours which translated into the degrees Kelvin we use to (not) heat our house, takes a good day and a half.
And of course, the thing I had the most difficulty with, was the store bought curtains and curtain rod.
I think next year, they're getting a playstation 7 or whatever they're up to / taking pre-orders for at that point.
It was supposed to be red and yellow but apparently I brought home a quart of decade old paint - thank you HD supply chain - your stock velocity is underwhelming. Good thing our local Wally's world was one of those open for 24 hours for your holiday convenience. Bad thing, they only had this brand that, instead of drying in 30-60 minutes, was rated to dry in 3-5 hours which translated into the degrees Kelvin we use to (not) heat our house, takes a good day and a half.
And of course, the thing I had the most difficulty with, was the store bought curtains and curtain rod.
I think next year, they're getting a playstation 7 or whatever they're up to / taking pre-orders for at that point.
Monday, December 18, 2006
The elves
This would have been the Xmas card if it wasn't for the cutlery in the background and the evidence of child safety issues. (I was going to ID that for you, but let's play "spot the hazard".)
Canon PS next
A few reasons why I need the next model up from my Canon S2 IS ...
- relatively low ISO capability (tops out at 400)
- silly 1GB file limit/2GB SD card limit - which is a real problem because I tend to use this as my camcorder
- my mom has the S3 IS
- relatively low ISO capability (tops out at 400)
- silly 1GB file limit/2GB SD card limit - which is a real problem because I tend to use this as my camcorder
- my mom has the S3 IS
Xmas concert
From the evening show of the girl's school concert. This was the big Vegas finish - that's her on the bottom right (in green circle). Hard to tell, but she spent most of her time on stage looking for us in the crowd.
Friday, December 15, 2006
Mine!
This is now designated as the girl's yak-bucket. No one else gets to use it or play with it; it's been marked.
FWIW - The boy has learned how to run to the bathroom if he thinks he has to chow.
FWIW - The boy has learned how to run to the bathroom if he thinks he has to chow.
Thursday, December 14, 2006
This past Saturday, we took the kids to my workplace's kids Xmas party - Santa vs. The Snowman - in 3D IMAX! Kids, this is not your older sibling's 3D effects with the cardboard glasses that gave you paper cuts over your years and resulted in an inability to engage in strenuous activities, drive or otherwise direct large vehicles.This was almost as good as the T3 3D show at Universal Studio's (the last 3D show I saw). Good enough to make the boy recoil and pull his glasses off every time something shot out of the screen at him. 2 for flinching, boy!
Anyways, I'm a convert - we'll see if the boy likes the Polar Express in 3D.
BTW - Kids Party Santa? DENIED!
Friday, December 08, 2006
Monday, December 04, 2006
Pretty fly for my little guy ...
Cross my keyboard, but the boy made progress this weekend in the potty training arena ... wasn't that the name of the old engineering building on campus?
Saturday was ... messy. But he did great on Sunday and only had one mishap early this morning. Made it through daycare and all the way to bed time!
To think, all it took was Thomas Train gitch ... so what if they cost $30 a piece?
Saturday was ... messy. But he did great on Sunday and only had one mishap early this morning. Made it through daycare and all the way to bed time!
To think, all it took was Thomas Train gitch ... so what if they cost $30 a piece?
Thursday, November 09, 2006
This has been bugging me all day long ...
So, I get this "workforce crisis" issue; I've heard about the trend towards specialization; I've read about the next "era" of modern society being based on knowledge and that labour is the thing of the past.
Coincidingly, I know that I am moving to the outer edge, if not already beyond the window, of target demographic for consumerism. I'm aware that CRM systems have probably tagged my buying pattern as a non-profitable, possibly even undesireable customer/consumer. I know companies would rather market to my kids than to me. I know that I now shop by aisle, rather than by floor or section.
I get all that. But I can't help but find myself wondering ...
Is it too much to ask for someone working in the clothing department to know how to fold a freaking shirt!
For the record, I am neither impressed by the number of folds you can introduce into my shirt, nor by the how tightly you can pack my shirts into the smallest of bags; nor even by the variety of balloon-animal-shirt arrangements you can make before my very eyes. ("Balloon" modifies "animal" - I don't know what a "balloon-shirt" is/would be.)
Just to make sure I've covered all the angles - I am not Harry Houdini, I am not Doug Henning; I am not David Copperfield; I am neither bound by employment, nor do I dabble in hobbies that, require anything resembling strait-jacket test-worthiness of my apparel.
Damn, buddy.
So, I get this "workforce crisis" issue; I've heard about the trend towards specialization; I've read about the next "era" of modern society being based on knowledge and that labour is the thing of the past.
Coincidingly, I know that I am moving to the outer edge, if not already beyond the window, of target demographic for consumerism. I'm aware that CRM systems have probably tagged my buying pattern as a non-profitable, possibly even undesireable customer/consumer. I know companies would rather market to my kids than to me. I know that I now shop by aisle, rather than by floor or section.
I get all that. But I can't help but find myself wondering ...
Is it too much to ask for someone working in the clothing department to know how to fold a freaking shirt!
For the record, I am neither impressed by the number of folds you can introduce into my shirt, nor by the how tightly you can pack my shirts into the smallest of bags; nor even by the variety of balloon-animal-shirt arrangements you can make before my very eyes. ("Balloon" modifies "animal" - I don't know what a "balloon-shirt" is/would be.)
Just to make sure I've covered all the angles - I am not Harry Houdini, I am not Doug Henning; I am not David Copperfield; I am neither bound by employment, nor do I dabble in hobbies that, require anything resembling strait-jacket test-worthiness of my apparel.
Damn, buddy.
Wednesday, November 01, 2006
Oooohhhh-trivin. Every once in a while, someone tries to tell me I have an Otrivin addiction. (I use it seasonally, so I don't think that counts. It just happens to be convenient for me to have some at home, work and in the car.)
But, I think I saw a commercial today for something called Nasanex. Not sure if this product is universal and/or the advertising rules are, but any ads for medicine now have to include disclaimers on the side effects. I swore I thought I heard that, in addition to the the standard side effects of drowziness, dizziness and dry skin, apparently this stuff can give you a viral infection!
I don't wanna hear any more noise about Otrivin.
But, I think I saw a commercial today for something called Nasanex. Not sure if this product is universal and/or the advertising rules are, but any ads for medicine now have to include disclaimers on the side effects. I swore I thought I heard that, in addition to the the standard side effects of drowziness, dizziness and dry skin, apparently this stuff can give you a viral infection!
I don't wanna hear any more noise about Otrivin.
Monday, October 30, 2006
Love that extra hour when we "fall back". But just so we don't get cocky, mo' natural is gonna throw half a foot of snow at us today.
That preceding blurb was all preface for this ... remember that episode of Happy Days where Fonzie and Pinky break-up? The line I can't get outta my head this morning is "She treated me like an em-plo-YEE."
That preceding blurb was all preface for this ... remember that episode of Happy Days where Fonzie and Pinky break-up? The line I can't get outta my head this morning is "She treated me like an em-plo-YEE."
Wednesday, October 25, 2006
Shotgun
After Calloway park - I don't think the travelling grocery store parking lot Fair really cuts it anymore. (I know I said this was at the zoo, but I recognized the carney's "responsible" for the rides from their stop at the local Safeway.)
Maybe the thinking is, this is more exhilerating when you throw in the threat of frostbite.
Maybe the thinking is, this is more exhilerating when you throw in the threat of frostbite.
To answer your question ...
With the boy, it's all about the trains. So if he had his choice, he'd probably opt to go as Thomas or Sir Topham Hat.
Saturday, October 21, 2006
When I was just ...
... a little boy, I asked my mother, why can't I be what I want to be for Halloween?
So, should it be this ...
So, should it be this ...
... or this.
Or does it not matter because we're going to make him wear a parka and moon boots so no one will see any parts of the costume anyways?
Monday, October 09, 2006
Like the guests who won't leave ...
I don't know what they spray in these balloons - for what they charge I'm assuming it's some class of balloon-grade plutonium - but these suckers are like a bad smell.
In hindsight, we should have gotten christmas colours.
In hindsight, we should have gotten christmas colours.
Fall supper
Happy Turkey day ... or vegetarian facsimilie if that's your "taste".
A crisp weekend, but nice enough to get out a few times. Everyone's in the same boat - looking back thinking of the nice summer and how little they took advantage.
But it's look fwd time ... the girl's trying new things: karate and soccer and sticking with the swimming that she's been doing pretty well at since the start of the summer.
The boy is in gymkids but is having some problems grasping the concept of group activities. On the other hand, he's learned to sulk at a very advanced level - the co-ordinated triple threat: grossly exaggerated arm-crossing; a decisive "hmmphh"; followed by stomping to some corner of the room. Too bad the comic effect overshadows any of the intentioned reactions.
Brrrr ....
A crisp weekend, but nice enough to get out a few times. Everyone's in the same boat - looking back thinking of the nice summer and how little they took advantage.
But it's look fwd time ... the girl's trying new things: karate and soccer and sticking with the swimming that she's been doing pretty well at since the start of the summer.
The boy is in gymkids but is having some problems grasping the concept of group activities. On the other hand, he's learned to sulk at a very advanced level - the co-ordinated triple threat: grossly exaggerated arm-crossing; a decisive "hmmphh"; followed by stomping to some corner of the room. Too bad the comic effect overshadows any of the intentioned reactions.
Brrrr ....
Wednesday, October 04, 2006
happy is ...
A girl and five (minus one) of her best friends dressed as their favourite princesses with free run of the house, some games, a lil brother to boss around ... and dishes of candy cupcake decorations and no rules ...
Happy birthday sweetie.
Happy birthday sweetie.
Monday, September 25, 2006
Thursday, September 21, 2006
Tuesday, September 05, 2006
open letter
To whom it may both concern and be possible to affect change,
Please stop shooting your allies.
Please stop shooting your allies.
Monday, August 28, 2006
Saturday, August 26, 2006
summer update
Couple of lazy weekends before the girl starts school. She (wtf - my apostrophe key takes me to seach in Firefox) has done really well in swimming. Had a week of Sunfish in Canmore and another session when we got home, and she is ready for the next level ... crocodile I believe. This from starting the year, not happy about having to put her face in the water ... to going down the big slide in the deep end.
Clearly not from my side of the family. Anyone within the shared gene pool out there who would call themselves a strong swimmer?
Clearly not from my side of the family. Anyone within the shared gene pool out there who would call themselves a strong swimmer?
Monday, August 07, 2006
Callaway
I think the season passes to Callaway were a hit. The second day we went, it was cold and rainy, but the kids didn't complain a stitch and held out for 3 hours.
the thrill of it all
The girl couldn't decide which ride was her favourite. They both liked the (smaller) roller coaster. But the girl said her favourite was either the whirl-around ( no pic 'cuz I had to take her on the ride ... twice) ...
wimmin drivers
... or the bumper cars. It took her two tries but by then, she was pretty much able to cruise around and discrimenently pick off other drivers ... and by other drivers I mean her brother.
once around the track
The boy's experience was less than fulfilling. They need to supply phone books to sit on so he can reach the pedals.
Monday, July 31, 2006
Sunday, July 16, 2006
This was the pool ...
... we blew up last year and served us fairly well. It's got two small rings that blow up relatively quickly and it holds enough water to have fun in, but small enough that I can empty it without feeling too bad about water conservation ... beyond what it does for the lawn.
But it developed a mystery leak ... coulda been when it blew into a tree last weekend; coulda been rough use ... who knows. It lasted a year, which was about 50 weeks longer than I expected it too.
But it developed a mystery leak ... coulda been when it blew into a tree last weekend; coulda been rough use ... who knows. It lasted a year, which was about 50 weeks longer than I expected it too.
So now we've got ...
... an inflatable crodocile - the rare Canadian prairie croc that appears to have a spout. And a giant hollow snail, good for rolling, sliding, jumping on and all other forms of activity that are detrimental to it actually lasting beyond a week.
New science
I hated chemistry in high school and thermodynamics in University. It just wasn't logical - like Physics. I'm tempted to challenge all the snotty prof's who told me to memorize the table, with explaning the property of a kids nose that allows ice cream to stay there for 2 hours - the same ice cream that when served in a four litre cone, can't last 30 seconds in the sun without ending up as a pool of schlep at the boys feet.
Then on to the English dept to taunt them with my sentence structure - HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Then on to the English dept to taunt them with my sentence structure - HAHAHAHAHAHAHA!
Monday, July 03, 2006
Tuesday, June 20, 2006
Poser
Actually, she's not posing for the camera. She's posing for some other unfathomable reason. Don't ask me to explain - I cannot fathom it.
fathomfathomfathomfathomfathom
This was taken at the Circle of Celebration down where the two rivers meet. (I just finished the ubiquitous book brun ... I'm gonna to learn to speak in vague references and using symbolism.)
fathomfathomfathomfathomfathom
This was taken at the Circle of Celebration down where the two rivers meet. (I just finished the ubiquitous book brun ... I'm gonna to learn to speak in vague references and using symbolism.)
Sum'in-Sum'in
I was struggling to finish this entry based on the - something old, new, borrowed, blue - theme. Too much of a stretch for me, so let me return to my comfort zone ...
I betcha that outfit is really sweaty.
I betcha that outfit is really sweaty.
Wednesday, June 07, 2006
Nu-moronics
So it wasn't until mid-day yesterday that I realized it was June 6, 2006 - the date of the beast. Everyone else in the office who reads the newspaper in real time, listens to those insipid morning radio shows on the way into work, or knows which station broadcasts news rather than puppets - had already made their jokes. So I was left on the sidelines, becoming increasingly worried that I had noticed the date of my own accord, rather than having to be prompted.
Now I've got a few really busy days coming up and I have to focus so here's my joke, and hopefully we can leave this all behind (if you haven't already left)...
Today - it's 6-6-7, the number of the beast's neighbour.
BTW - in case you aren't making the connection, the photo is "the boy" spending the last half hour of our dinner out, outside getting 3 time-out's in a row, to be followed by waiting in the car because "I've had enough". I suppose I should be worried that the girl will scold the boy using that phrase too.
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