Tuesday, December 30, 2003
Still in TO. I'm bored. The sick toddler sure can cramp your style. It isn't bad being bored...not something I have the chance to do much. Gives me a lot of time to ponder the immediate and long term, and of course, to consider some resolutions. It isn't New Year's yet, so I'm going to wait to commit to anything. One that I will offer is: not ever be complacent in my career again. The last year was a sustained effort in wishing I was doing something else, but being captive to seductive salary. "Love what you do" they say, and that's going to be my motto for the year.
On other things...looks like this site is going to be put to work, so this more personal stuff is going to move somewhere else...not sure yet, but I'll keep you informed.
Sunday, December 28, 2003
That nasty flu is still lingering...Em seemed like he was on the mend on xmas day, but got worse when we hit Toronto. Saturday was pure hell...running nose, bleeding nose, fussy, coughing...and that was just me! Looks like he's much better today, we even went out for a walk today...a huge improvement over the last week. The weather is nuts here...12C, sunny, I almost wish I brought my boat.
Wednesday, December 24, 2003
Looks like the flu has hit 51 Ivy. A toddler with the flu is hell. So much for my first three days of unemployment.
Tuesday, December 23, 2003
Well...looks like the hammer has fallen and I'm out of a job. Before you go and offer sympathies...this is a good thing. The last 120 days have been hell, and I've been preparing exit strategy. This severance period will give me the chance to re-energize, re-focus and putter around the house. I'm looking forward to it...since I've never had the opportunity to take an extended time away from employment...this will be bliss. First thing on the agenda is fitness...a membership at Ottawa U with daily workouts should get me back to a level to make paddling fun this summer. Second...dvcomposites of course.
Sunday, December 14, 2003
Em has discovered the magic of the word "please". He says it more like "pease". Not one to string together more than two words, he has become quite adept at appending "pease" to almost every request...juice pease, up pease, dar pease (dar=car), tv pease, rum and coke pease (okay...I added that last one). Its very hard to resist that toddler voice with a "pease" added...and he has realized its power.
Tuesday, December 09, 2003
I feel like I'm living in an episode of "Ventures". The clock is ticking, we have customers, and funding partners (albeit dirt kicking VC's), and the owners breathing down our neck. Man, I can't wait for the Xmas holidays.
Friday, December 05, 2003
Congrads to Bill and Nancy! Another boy for the Yee clan. 7 pounds and a bit, healthy, and 9 days early.
Wednesday, December 03, 2003
So I make a pizza for Elaine...is that a crime?
Can't a guy be spontaneous.
My plan is to do everything I can to hold onto my den...distractions like pizza seem to work pretty well with pregnant women.
Thursday, November 27, 2003
So...I've been off coffee for 4 days now (actually longer, but I indulged on the weekend), and I think I feel worse rather than better. I know I should stick with it and should see results in a week or two. Damn this is killing me...and I really don't like the taste of coffee. That caffeine monster has a grip on me. Its tough to drive by Tim Horton's these days, knowing that they only have bad things in there for me. Thankfully I can always turn to that other morning beverage....beer.
Friday, November 21, 2003
The dvcomposites site is finally up.
Did some adhoc business case work and it looks like this just may fly.
On other news. Lainer is expecting. There goes my den.
Thursday, November 13, 2003
Another thing I'm glad I didn't invent. I'm sure I'll hear about this innovation when I visit the dentist.
"The first and only oral care product that brings toothpast and floss together in a single, convinient tube and cap combination!" Don't people go thru toothpaste faster than floss...so what do you do in this case...keep the used tube until you use up the floss...then you get incrementally farther behind in your floss use. Oh...the nightmares! Maybe i'll just watch that "3D" product demo again.
Addendum: Turns out the floss container detaches...phew! I'll be sleeping well tonight.
Monday, November 10, 2003
I'm not sure who took this picture...it wasn't me.
Here's a sneak peak of the bigDaddy fresh out of the vacuum bag.
Thursday, November 06, 2003
And now...you can buy the t-shirt!!!!!
A new cottage industry...who knows. Stay tuned.
Tuesday, November 04, 2003
A new cottage industry...who knows. Stay tuned.
Tuesday, October 28, 2003
Oi!!! The incompetant boobery I run up against.
This is a copy of the article I.D. Magazine wrote about the award my team won. First off...they used a really crappy picture of the product. Secondly...They called my boss a developer...rather than the VP that he is. Then they promptly misspelled the development manager's name and the product manager's name. The worst thing is that they had a sweet information package from us, and I supplied them with this information on two seperate occasions!
This one is late going up because of some ftp boobery.
Monday, October 20, 2003
Here's the pimpy car that Lexus has loaned while they do the routine maintenance on the yellow car. They couldn't have picked a car that is more of a polar opposite to my tastes. I mean...this one has the optional gold trim package and even worse...woodgrain on the inside!!! Of course, the boy loves the car...but what does he know...he also likes Celine Dion.
Friday, October 17, 2003
The website I've been working on is finally live...check it out.
Otherwise...its been a work, home, work life.
We ordered some new windows for the house...we got a sweet deal by playing the "designer discount" card. They turned out to be half as expensive as we thought. I've delayed doing this because I really like the way the original windows look...I always find modern windows look weird in an old house. These ones at least are double hung and have a wood finish. Its should make a huge difference in heating and cooling...and no more @#$% storm windows.
Monday, October 13, 2003
Another lovely weekend in TO. Gotta love those crazy suburban folks in Richmond Hill...I went to fill up the car yesterday at the uber-Shell, and this fella of the asian pursuasion (imagine...in RH?!), is diligently waxing his car...and I don't mean off to the side...I mean right at the pump. I suppose he thought that since he bought some gas, he had the right to hog the spot for an hour or two.
Monday, October 06, 2003
Okay...last mention of the fridge...here it is insitu.
And another picture of the happy boy in the kitchen.
Thursday, October 02, 2003
Boy...lousy night last night.
Fridge didn't get delivered.
Plumbing leak...resulting in no hot water and no water on the main floor.
The boy fell off his high chair...I told you Em!!!
To lighten things up...how about a gratuitous picture of Em waving to grandma!
Sunday, September 28, 2003
Our new fridge.
Our old one has been giving us not so subtle hints of its imminent demise. A pool of water on the floor in the morning (like it has incontinence or something), a little mold here and there, some crazy noises in the morning (like it needs its first smoke). So, before its craps out in the middle of the week, destroying our stash of pesto and baby food, we bought a jazzy new one yesterday. Of, course our old one had some crazy non-standard dimensions, so now I have to modify the cabinets to meet some new crazy appliance standard (conspiracy? I think so!). Between rebates and haggling, we saved 300 bucks on it.
Thursday, September 25, 2003
Wow...a week since i last posted...how rude.
Been crazy busy at work...not only am I the product designer, but now I'm the creative director and webmaster. Needless to say, I've been knee deep in code. Can't say I mind...doing work always beats talking about it.
If your on IM...I'm at bad_karmaboy@yahoo.com
Here's a shot of me and my new glasses.
Thursday, September 18, 2003
Suggestion day.
If you haven't watched American Chopper on the Discovery Channel...whip out your TV Guide and clear out your schedule. This one has replaced "Cops" as my favorite show.
Just finished this book. Loved it. Without a doubt the best thing I read this year. "You got nothing coming" has officially replace "no" in my vocabulary.
Go read about poor Lisa's face plant. I don't know this person...but ouch!, I feel for her.
Tuesday, September 16, 2003
Sweet election season...gotta love all those fine folks who feel the need to wear their political affiliation on their sleeve...or more accuratly, on their front lawn. I've got no problem with free speech, I just think its a bit pushy to advertise your choice...particularly when your neighbours probably already know where you stand. I wish the Marxist party could afford signs...that would shake things up on my street.
Friday, September 12, 2003
CBC leads with the death of John Ritter?
Give me a break...the real news is Johnny Cash. I'm sure Ritter is a great guy and all; but HELLO! Johnny Cash! Only one of the most significant entertainers ever! Geez...I can wait till they fill the morning spot on CBC.
Oh yeah...rest in peace man in black.
Tuesday, September 09, 2003
Hey...bought a canoe. I know...I was supposed to build one...but time and a wicked deal conspired to trash that plan. For those of you who care: Ultralight Kevlar, Sawyer Cruiser replica, 48lbs, 17'-9", 32" beam, 30" at the 4" waterline, burgundy. I will now diligently work to make it lighter than it already is.
Thursday, September 04, 2003
I'm in Seattle....well, actually, Bellevue. Which is a lesser city to Seattle. Some 12 hours of travel to get here and its unlikely that I'll get over to the city itself. Work travel sucks. This use to be fun and exciting, but the more I do it the more I realize that North America is just one continuous blur of similar airports, formulaic hotels and sub-urban business parks. The same kind of people travelling, wearing the same clothes and complaining about the same things. At least you can count on a club sandwich to be relatively untampered wherever you are.
Tuesday, September 02, 2003
I love this time of year...I love seeing all the kids go back to school. I miss it terribly (university that is...I could go without high school altogether). It doesn't help that its a spectacularly sunny day, and not too hot.
Wednesday, August 27, 2003
Sorry for the lack of postings...its because of the blackout...yeah, thats it...the blackout.
Picture of the birthday boy on his actual birthday.
Monday, August 18, 2003
Had a lovely holiday...not much to report...except the unfortunate demise of two squirrels who were getting much too comfortable in the cottage.
Sunday, August 10, 2003
Actually...now that I have them...they don't really look like that at all. Pictures to follow.
On holidays...stay tuned.
Thursday, August 07, 2003
Actually...they should look pretty much like these.
Wednesday, August 06, 2003
So...I bought glasses, the're from this company. I looked High and low, and waited patiently for our weekend in Toronto. There I found a lot of what I already found here, but lucked into a cool store on Bayview in Leaside. The combination of sweet design and reasonable price clinched the deal. Didn't hurt that they are Danish...I'm such a sucker for Denmark. Their site doesn't have the glasses I bought, so you'll have to wait for the picture when they arrive.
Friday, August 01, 2003
I forgot to mention earlier...I tried on a fella's glasses here at work and was amazed at the clarity of everything. Based on this, I went to see the eye doctor...and he tells me I need glasses! This after a lifetime of perfect vision...I need glasses. Then he tell me its completly normal...its a sign of ageing! Great! First the one thing I could say is perfect with me is gone, and now I have to come to terms with irrefutable physical proof that I'm getting old.
Thats okay...I going to buy some really outrageous glasses.
Tuesday, July 29, 2003
I present the fence I spoke about a few weeks ago.
The strategy was to build something I like, but that the neighbours would hate. Based on the scowls I've been getting, I'd like to declare this a success.
Thursday, July 24, 2003
The boy loves trucks. Here's another.
This is a loaner while they touch up the paint on the Lexus.
Monday, July 21, 2003
Best pie ever....
Strawberry-rhubarb baked at the cottage.
Tuesday, July 15, 2003
Back from vacation...its nice to have the whole day to consider what your going to do for dinner. On other things...I have been absolutely captivated by the Tour de France lately. Its been tough, since I work during the live broadcast and I'm pretty much wiped out by the time they replay it at 10:30. Yesterday's race saw a dramatic crash and an equaly dramatic feat of bike riding on behalf of the defending champion Lance Armstrong. The problem is...nobody shares my enthusiasm around here.
Friday, July 04, 2003
On vacation!
Wednesday, July 02, 2003
Since prospective employers may be visiting this site, I've decided to be mute for a while...check back soon to see how my adventure is going.
Monday, June 30, 2003
So...to follow up the last post (crap...), I "downsized" half my team. These are really good folks. Its seems the fun of the tech sector has been completely replaced with incessant weekly crap. Crappy event after crappy event. I think its time to get out kids. I am officially looking for something else...what that may be, who knows. It may be architecture, or it may be something totally dfferent.
Thursday, June 26, 2003
Crap...what a crappy day.
Tuesday, June 24, 2003
Oh my god...I think the world is coming to an end. Lainer is quoting the billboard from Cracktown.
Thursday, June 19, 2003
Again with the boy...
I'm amazed by the no end of fun he'll have with bubbles. We can spend a solid hour blowing and chasing them.
Tuesday, June 17, 2003
Dealt with my first bloody nose this morning with the boy. To get a 2 year old to stop touching his nose (to stop the bleeding) is near impossible. Thankfully, a video is enough to put him into a trance, to stop the flow. Then the cleanup...blood everywhere. You'd think there was a murder. His clothes, my shirt, his whole face, my arms...floor, chair, etc. No wonder I can't get anything done.
Friday, June 13, 2003
I added the Calistoga pictures to the index below.
The Lexus dealer surpised me yesterday, and offered to deliver my car to the office after the routine maintenance was done. I suppose after all my bitching about the lack of ass kissing has finally sunk in. This comes after my assertions that I will be going to the other dealer to get some body work done (Elaine had a run in with some incompetant boob in a parking lot). Otherwise...looks like a weekend at home (finally!). Maybe I can get some work on the bike this weekend. Hmmm...I just realized its Friday the 13th.
Oh...and I updated the "misc" page.
Tuesday, June 10, 2003
Yeah, my company got bought. Enough already.
The fact remains that the paperwork is going to take 6-8 weeks, until then, nothing is going to happen.
Then after that...looks like business as usual. Too many folks want to see the demise of the big C, we got too much going on for that to happen.
Wednesday, June 04, 2003
Okay...the trip pictures are here...enjoy.
I'll get some of the cruise photos up, as soon as I get the chance.
Monday, June 02, 2003
Back from another whirlwind holiday...a full report to follow. For now I'll leave you with the following:
Picture # 1 on the camera, a view from our bedroom window.
The car that we used.
The reason why we went.
Wednesday, May 28, 2003
With the devastation of my front lawn by those damn discusting white grubs, I took the opportunity to rake it up (literally), and put down some new sod. Well...you should see it now; its all tall and green and unlike anything I've ever grown. People walking by on the street compliment it. Imagine. Althought I secretly think the're just trying to encourage me to take better care of my property. So...now I'm all about lawns.
Friday, May 23, 2003
I was at my Motorcycle Refresher Course last night (mostly to get cheaper insurance). The class was filled with mostly middle aged guys who recently bought Harleys or some other monster cruisers. I suppose they weren't too confident with their own bikes on the test course (which involves low speed manuevering), so they all used the classroom bikes. I'll tell you that their is nothing funnier than seeing a bunch of tough Harley guys, dressed in black, with all their cool gear; riding around a parking lot on little 125cc dirt bikes. Priceless.
Thursday, May 22, 2003
Thank....friggin'...God.
No more switching radio stations in the morning because of his wack comments.
Oh...the joy.
Sunday, May 18, 2003
Were back.
Phew. This Ottawa weather is sure nice to come back to.
Wednesday, May 14, 2003
Em is feeling much better...turns out our cabin neighbour is a pediatric dental nurse. Definitely teething. Were just leaving San Juan. Nice town. I ate some kind of deep fried battered thing off the street...we'll see if I pay for it tonight. Was in St. Thomas yesterday, another lovely town...spectacular landscape. Otherwise, all is well, much relaxing, eating and drinking. Next stop is Haiti.
Monday, May 12, 2003
wouldn't ya know, they have internet access on the boat. Its the biggest in the world afterall. Short synopsis...Air Canada lost my luggage from Ottawa to Toronto...how incompetant is that? Em has serious teething pains...high fever, trouble sleeping...kinda of a pain (but thats being a parent). Been in Nassau...so,so. At sea today. Oh...happy mothers day Mom! I'd call from the ship phone, but its crazy expensive. I'll wait till I get into St. Thomas and use my cell. Later
Friday, May 09, 2003
Just saw lainy and Em off at the airport...they should be in the air pretty soon. This will be interesting....travelling with a terrible two. I have to work today, so I'm not leaving till tomorrow morning. All I know is that I'm supposed to be at the terminal in Miami by 5 tomorrow. I'm not even sure where we're going. I'm commited to not bringing my laptop...really. Just a couple of books. Thats it. Time to relax.
Thursday, May 08, 2003
Wow. A whole week not updating this thing.
Been crazy busy. The next big thing is the cruise next week. So I suppose it'll be another week of no updates. Looks like the product is doing pretty well...lots of buzz and promises. This may the thing that finally drives the stock price....and monkeys will fly out my b#$t.
Thursday, May 01, 2003
Once again...Apple is da bomb with their new ads. Brilliant.
Wednesday, April 30, 2003
Here you go...more than 2 years of work, and its finally released. Grey hair, sleepless nights and hypertension are the result. I think its an amazing product. Most of you won't be interested, or even appreciate its value, since its really targeted to large enterprises (automotive and aerospace industries). Regardless, I'm quite proud of it and very ready for a holiday.
Monday, April 28, 2003
aaaah...I don't have much to say.
Here's some pictures of Em's trip to the museum. I think you'll see the theme. We could have stayed home and played with the #$$%& phone. Thankfully, he liked the car too.
Monday, April 21, 2003
Bonne fete to moi!
Hugs and kisses to all those who graced me with gifts and wishes.
Mom got me the new Johnny Cash CD...lovely, but the Depeche Mode cover is a little weird.
Em started my special day by going postal for no apparent reason...things could only get better from that.
Updated the misc. section
Got the bike running...damn plugs.
Tuesday, April 15, 2003
I've come to terms with the fact that my motorcycle has spent more time on the back of the truck, than on the road. I took it out on Saturday for a short ride, only to have it not start afterwards. I spent most of Sunday afternoon hunting down the problem...and still haven't found it. But you know what...thats exactly why I bought it, I need something to tinker with, and this is it. If I wasn't fixing the problems, I'd be upgrading it. Working on the bike is pure bliss.
Friday, April 11, 2003
So, I have a bit of fence that is falling down. This fence faces my dink neighbour. Contrary to my professional desires, I'm contemplating how to build an ugly, offensive fence. My dilema is that what I would consider ugly, they would find attractive. And what I think would be attractive, they would find ugly. So my ugly fence is going to be a handsome fence. You follow?!
They finally changed the billboard outside my office...a sweet G35 coupe...now that's something I don't mind staring at during long conference calls.
Wednesday, April 09, 2003
So...I sort of have this thing working again. Its been a crazy hectic couple of days, so I've been trying to fix this puppy between fires. Its still not a 100%.
Tuesday, April 08, 2003
Wack
Monday, February 24, 2003
I figure its been a while since I posted a photo of Em...so here you go.
He insisted on putting them on....then he wonders why I laugh at him all the time.
Tuesday, February 18, 2003
I've been surveying public swimming pools these days. since I've really gotten into swimming lately, I've been looking for a decent pool in town. I've come to notice that an awful lot of this city's senior citizens spend a lot of time in the water. I don't mean they're swimming or trying to get fit...they seem to be just floating there. Herds of them, bobbing around, not really engaged in any type of activity. They sometimes get in the way, but for the most part simply want to float around at the whim of the activity induced current. Its very odd.
Thursday, February 13, 2003
I saw one of these today.
Sure its a minivan. But its one that's not legal in North America. I thought it was rather cool looking. Those europeans have all the nice cars. Then I drove by two minivans that had run into each other. Maybe if they keep trashing each other, we'll get some of the nice ones.
Monday, February 10, 2003
This song has been haunting me lately.
Its from one of the new Saturn commercials. If you haven't seen them...I think they are brilliant.
You can see the commercials here. What bugs me is that I despise Saturn. I've never liked their generic designs and their sacharine messages. Even worse are the customers who get sucked into the "family" rhetoric and have grown into a cultlike group of suburban zombies. Saturn has essentially pitched itself has the car for people who don't like cars ( or buying cars); and that is a stance that I will never understand. But damn that song is catchy...and if you watch the "Sheetmetal" ad, not having a car in a car commercial is pretty cool.
Tuesday, February 04, 2003
The Ivy street house is now wireless. Cooler than I expected, and not very expensive at all. So if you get an email from me in the morning, you can be pretty sure it was composed in the comode.
Another lesson learned...don't tell your wife about certain shortcomings you may have had as a child when it come to straw use.
Thursday, January 30, 2003
So I've completed one of my first projects using composites and my DIY vacuum bagging system. Its a very sexy canoe racing paddle. Its modelled on this one, but has my own special touches. That being said, I was very curious about the weight of said paddle (thats the point of composites and vacuum bagging- its all about lightness), so I bring it to work to weigh on the scale in the mailroom. The looks you get walking thru the building with a swoopy black canoe paddle...of course this was the strangest request the mailroom had this week. For the record...13oz. Not bad for the first try.
Tuesday, January 28, 2003
It seems that some folks were pretty rattled by the hijaaking of my weblog last week. Just for the record, I'd like to clarify where I stand on certain issues so that their are no misunderstandings:
1. Minivans- I still maintain an unhealthy contempt.
2. Suburbs- For people who are not me.
3. John Lecharity- I still want to punch him in the throat.
4. Costume National- heaven
5. Winona Ryder- not guilty and infallible
6. Back hair- unfortunate
7. (Late addition) I play loose and fast with accepted standards in grammer.
Thank you.
Friday, January 24, 2003
Some thoughts for the weekend:
If I hear anything more about Miss Canada and the soap opera that surrounds her, I'm going over there and stomping all over her s#$t.
I think "Touch My Bum" is extremely funny.
Bruce Springsteen...I'm sure he's great and all...but the hype just proves the influence boomers have over popular opinion.
Gordon Campbell...you are so wasted dude. Give up, the 70's are over...and just resign.
Later alligator.
Wednesday, January 22, 2003
I went to a community meeting the other night. Good lord man, somebody get these people a life! The issue was the introduction of speed humps on my street. It seemed like a motherhood issue to me...slower traffic on the street, good for everyone. Well, of course a very vocal minority showed up. Best described as "a little knowledge is dangerous", they proceed to dominate the conversations and disputed every little point. I was ready to postal in there. Thankfully, the meeting was just a gesture to community feedback, and the motion was carried. Mmmmm...humps.
Monday, January 20, 2003
Man is Emmett getting big. I can feel my knees hurting when i walk down the stairs with him. Its interesting how they start to walk around the time they start to get uncomfortable to carry. Its amazing to watch his mental development as well...he's way more observant than we expect. Given that he's going to be swearing like a longshoreman pretty soon.
On other matters, I've added a "my amazon wishlist" link below. No, I'm not looking for unsolicited gifts...its just that it works so well. I have been told that I'm difficult to shop for.
Thursday, January 16, 2003
Damn its cold.
I seem to weather...this weather a little better now that I'm older. Over the years you start to make decisions that always incorporate these nasty weeks in January. Like when I bought the car...heated seat...yes please. Or when we bought the furnace...high efficiency...yes please. Silk t-shirt (cool and warm...amazing little worms), cashmere, warm boots, cool tuque. All decisions made with this nasty weather in mind. Its fun to watch visitors at work who come in from our Dallas office...the horror.
Monday, January 13, 2003
My blog was hijaacked.
I cannot be held responsible for the message posted below.
Clearly this was written by a person who is all those things...please...an SUV is just a minivan for those in denial.
Lesson learned...never tell your wife your password.
Damn it....Maurice is dead. I remember spending a good part of my youth listening to the Bee Gee`s at home and in the dance clubs.
Two more words....MORE ROOM. I`m fed up with dragging Em and all my crap half a mile to a tiny yellow car. By this time next winter.....van and a 2 car garage for the Miata and the Yammy in the burbs. I can learn to love vinyl siding as well as the next man.
Thursday, January 09, 2003
Two words...root canal.
Damn you teeth! Why can't you behave like the rest of the body parts. I'm a little disappointed in your inability to pull your own weight. Despite all the brushing, religious checkups and various protective apparel over the years, you insist on slacking off. Thankfully the rest of the body parts aren't as high maintenance (knock on wood).
New link added...(see "misc" below) its the place I hope to add occasional arty pictures and sketches.
Wednesday, January 08, 2003
Oh well...back at work.
The time off was nice.
happy b-day to my lovely lainer. It seems the pace and craziness of our lives at this moment, along with the unfortunate timing of your birthday, make it hard to focus on the special things that make you...you. Enjoy.
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