Hey there, I don't have a lot of time right now, but I wanted to draw your attention to something that I just noticed...
So I'm listening to some Led Zeppelin, and Ramble On came on... So I'm sitting there working away, and then I hear talk of Mordor and Gollum!!! For those of you yet to play, they are references to Lord Of The Rings!!!! Evil place, and questionably bad guy (questionably because is he really bad? or simply held captive by the ring and therefore sufferor of Stockholm Syndrome? I think I'm right. Don't argue.)
Anywho, so the lyrics are:
Mines a tale that cant be told,
My freedom I hold dear;
How years ago in days of old
When magic filled the air,
Twas in the darkest depths of mordor
I met a girl so fair,
But gollum, and the evil one crept up
And slipped away with her.
Her, her....yea.
Aint nothing I can do, no.
as lifted from:
http://www.lyricsfreak.com/l/led+zeppelin/ramble+on_20082096.html
The only thing that worries me, is that within the darkest depths of Mordor, are orcs and creatures of evil purpose... So maybe it was for the best that Gollum and the evil one who must not be named slipped away with her. She was likely evil as evil gets and sent off on some evil as evil gets errand of inescapable fear coupled with imminent doom and unspeakable horrors.
Like I said earlier: Don't argue.
Wednesday, November 12, 2008
Thursday, October 30, 2008
Eye Surgery
So I went to see my eye doctor (opthalmologist I think it was) this morning at something like 7:20 am... I wasn't there for very long, but in those few minutes, I was moved up from whenever the hospital calls me, to the next in line. So I now have an appointment with the surgery at the VG hospital for Monday at 11am!!
Yay for me!!!
They will apparently flip my eyelid over, and surgically drain the crap out of my eye so that I am no longer shunned in public and cried at by small children (the bigger ones just point and look scared).
So it's a 4-day week for me next week!!
Cheers,
Mike
Yay for me!!!
They will apparently flip my eyelid over, and surgically drain the crap out of my eye so that I am no longer shunned in public and cried at by small children (the bigger ones just point and look scared).
So it's a 4-day week for me next week!!
Cheers,
Mike
Monday, October 27, 2008
Untitled
so ya, sorry everyone... I've been pretty busy as of late...
Especially looking back and seeing that my last post was just after school started in early September!! And lo and behold, it is now the end of October.
I suck.
But I'm learning to live with it.
I think it's my eye that's giving me grief. I have this massive stye on my left one, and wholly crap!!! It just keeps getting worse and worse. I saw a specialist who said that he would book me into a surgery at the hospital, and this was a month ago. My eye now has a ball the size of a pea under it. Literally. And now I have something slightly bad on the top of my eye lid.
Jeez.
I don't think that I need a mask for Hallowe'en anymore. I'll just wear a paper bag with my left eye showing and it'll freak everyone out because it looks so real!! because it IS real!!! How awesome a costume do I have!! I'll post pictures!
Maybe.
But maybe not.
So what else has been happening.
The election(s), both in Halifax and Federally. I didn't vote in either. This is actually unusual because I am a firm believer that as a citizen of this community and country, it is my duty to vote. But I didn't because I have no idea who is who, what does person "x" stand for, or rather, what does party "x" stand for? I had and have no idea. I don't know if Harper is doing a good or bad job. (NOTE: Please do not post your opionions on his effectiveness). Or if anyone else out there is better or worse. All I know is that there was no one that inspired me. In any way at all. So I didn't vote because I didn't know who to vote for. And that continues down through to the local municipal elections. I guess the other question is that wether or not any one will be better, or are we just voting for a figure head? I don't know, but I tend to not follow this line of thought, wether or not if it is true.
So that out of the way... Work has been bloody busy. Lots of experiments, few positive results, striving to find a direction to look in. Damn chemokine receptors. Don't look them up unless you are bored and feel like learning a new language, or like immunology. Of which I do, so I tend to read up on them a fair bit. And that's probably why I have not blogged in a while.
Oh ya!!! I got a new computer. A nice 17" HP Pavilion dv9700. It's a happy computer... But the only problem that I had, was that it runs on Vista Home Premium 64-bit. This meant that I could not get onto the internet at work where I need it most. So I had to figure out how to dual-boot into Windows XP or Vista (because I actually like Vista, I use it at home). That was a significant problem. I ended up needing to get a hold of a 3.5 inch floppy drive!! Do you know how hard it is to come up with one of them!? But it's done, partitioned my hard drive, re-installed drivers for XP to work with my hardward, programs installed twice, and blah blah blah blah.
Blah blah.
So that's where I am now. getting ready to carve out my pumpkin. Jeez, I'm just watching Heroes, and I totally see why it kicks so much @$$. Man. I gotta go to bask in its glory. I'll try to write before Christmas. Or at least when I get my eye fixed. I really should take a picture of it...
And here it is!! Notice Steve hanging around my left eye.Ya, I named him.
Especially looking back and seeing that my last post was just after school started in early September!! And lo and behold, it is now the end of October.
I suck.
But I'm learning to live with it.
I think it's my eye that's giving me grief. I have this massive stye on my left one, and wholly crap!!! It just keeps getting worse and worse. I saw a specialist who said that he would book me into a surgery at the hospital, and this was a month ago. My eye now has a ball the size of a pea under it. Literally. And now I have something slightly bad on the top of my eye lid.
Jeez.
I don't think that I need a mask for Hallowe'en anymore. I'll just wear a paper bag with my left eye showing and it'll freak everyone out because it looks so real!! because it IS real!!! How awesome a costume do I have!! I'll post pictures!
Maybe.
But maybe not.
So what else has been happening.
The election(s), both in Halifax and Federally. I didn't vote in either. This is actually unusual because I am a firm believer that as a citizen of this community and country, it is my duty to vote. But I didn't because I have no idea who is who, what does person "x" stand for, or rather, what does party "x" stand for? I had and have no idea. I don't know if Harper is doing a good or bad job. (NOTE: Please do not post your opionions on his effectiveness). Or if anyone else out there is better or worse. All I know is that there was no one that inspired me. In any way at all. So I didn't vote because I didn't know who to vote for. And that continues down through to the local municipal elections. I guess the other question is that wether or not any one will be better, or are we just voting for a figure head? I don't know, but I tend to not follow this line of thought, wether or not if it is true.
So that out of the way... Work has been bloody busy. Lots of experiments, few positive results, striving to find a direction to look in. Damn chemokine receptors. Don't look them up unless you are bored and feel like learning a new language, or like immunology. Of which I do, so I tend to read up on them a fair bit. And that's probably why I have not blogged in a while.
Oh ya!!! I got a new computer. A nice 17" HP Pavilion dv9700. It's a happy computer... But the only problem that I had, was that it runs on Vista Home Premium 64-bit. This meant that I could not get onto the internet at work where I need it most. So I had to figure out how to dual-boot into Windows XP or Vista (because I actually like Vista, I use it at home). That was a significant problem. I ended up needing to get a hold of a 3.5 inch floppy drive!! Do you know how hard it is to come up with one of them!? But it's done, partitioned my hard drive, re-installed drivers for XP to work with my hardward, programs installed twice, and blah blah blah blah.
Blah blah.
So that's where I am now. getting ready to carve out my pumpkin. Jeez, I'm just watching Heroes, and I totally see why it kicks so much @$$. Man. I gotta go to bask in its glory. I'll try to write before Christmas. Or at least when I get my eye fixed. I really should take a picture of it...
And here it is!! Notice Steve hanging around my left eye.Ya, I named him.
Wednesday, September 10, 2008
Naughty chairs...
Well, Alex has started school, and I just wanted to let you know that it is going mostly well. He still likes it, but today, he was sent to the red naughty chair for doing something that I am still not really clear on. I have to rely on what he tells us, and that is not always clear cut. But, while he was on the naughty chair, he was naughty again...
He was also the first to be sent to the red naughty chair.
Well, he did better than we thought he would... He made it into the second week!
He was also the first to be sent to the red naughty chair.
Well, he did better than we thought he would... He made it into the second week!
Thursday, August 28, 2008
Little update,...
So we got the quote for the fence from the guy who said $10,000 to give us a quote on a chain link fence (4 ft high) and it was much more respectable. So it looks like I won't be fencing, and we'll have a fence sometime in the next long while. We just need to get a few more quotes. And on another note, my experiment turned sour today. It looks like a bloody do-over. The dirty rotten ELISA... Crap.
Tuesday, August 26, 2008
Hullo agin ma frens
Another day another dollar eh?
Spent maybe...
So we've been looking into getting a fence put up around our back yard. So we get quotes. Which leads me to my question to you all...
Anyone wanna help me put up a little (about 4 foot high) fence around my back yard?
So ya, the price is not that great. Really high actually. We've only gotten one quote at the moment, but do you really think that the next few quotes are going to thousands of dollars cheaper? We put up a bloody garage (well it wasn't really bloody) in Australia for less than a measly 4 ft perimeter fence. And the garage required ALOT of concrete to make it level since we were on a bit of a slope, slight, but enough that there was a lot of concrete which had to be poured.
So, I am pretty sure that I can build a fence myself. I have put a little bit of thought into it, and I can see how it needs to be built. Once I get the main pillars up, it shouldn't be that hard screwing the rest of it together. It's just the putting up the main ones eh?
Well, I guess I'll have to do it myself then.. just think of all the $$ I'll save, the injuries I'm libel to get... but the pride my friends, the pride in doing it myself. And the wishful thinking that I'll only have to do it once and never again.
In other matters though, for those who are keeping score at home, I still don't have a credit card. Yup, still can't get one. We have gone to ScotiaBank, and MAN do they put up barriers. So much so that we are leaving them altogether. Fully and completely. By the end of this month, all of our banking will be through TD. We met with them the other day, and they were much more accomadating than their competition. But the credit card application is in the works, we haven't heard back yet, but either way, we are happier with TD than ScotiaBank by a long shot.
What else can I tell you...
Nothing it would seem, so I bid you good bye!
Spent maybe...
So we've been looking into getting a fence put up around our back yard. So we get quotes. Which leads me to my question to you all...
Anyone wanna help me put up a little (about 4 foot high) fence around my back yard?
So ya, the price is not that great. Really high actually. We've only gotten one quote at the moment, but do you really think that the next few quotes are going to thousands of dollars cheaper? We put up a bloody garage (well it wasn't really bloody) in Australia for less than a measly 4 ft perimeter fence. And the garage required ALOT of concrete to make it level since we were on a bit of a slope, slight, but enough that there was a lot of concrete which had to be poured.
So, I am pretty sure that I can build a fence myself. I have put a little bit of thought into it, and I can see how it needs to be built. Once I get the main pillars up, it shouldn't be that hard screwing the rest of it together. It's just the putting up the main ones eh?
Well, I guess I'll have to do it myself then.. just think of all the $$ I'll save, the injuries I'm libel to get... but the pride my friends, the pride in doing it myself. And the wishful thinking that I'll only have to do it once and never again.
In other matters though, for those who are keeping score at home, I still don't have a credit card. Yup, still can't get one. We have gone to ScotiaBank, and MAN do they put up barriers. So much so that we are leaving them altogether. Fully and completely. By the end of this month, all of our banking will be through TD. We met with them the other day, and they were much more accomadating than their competition. But the credit card application is in the works, we haven't heard back yet, but either way, we are happier with TD than ScotiaBank by a long shot.
What else can I tell you...
Nothing it would seem, so I bid you good bye!
Monday, August 18, 2008
The let down.
All week, me and my wife have been building up my son's final 2 soccer games (he's 5 and a half) for Saturday morning. The day comes forecasting rain, and a rain day was given.
So we step out the door all set to watch some kick-a$$ soccer, and then it starts to rain... But ever so slightly. So we decide to stick it out and go. So we all get in the car, and start the drive from Dartmouth to Sackville.
As we get closer to Sackville, the rain starts to come down really heavy. So we abort because I won't be having Alex playing soccer in heavy rain. A little rain's ok, but not as heavy as it was when we were half way there. So we turned around and had a really boring morning and afternoon. Alex was upset, but he understood that there was no soccer in the rain. And me and my wife stressed to him that it's ok, we'll just play next weekend because it's too rainy right now.
So the day wanes on, we talk to some people, who talked to other people. And then found out that it didn't rain in Sackville. And we missed his final soccer games of the year. And the presentation of his trophy and medal.
Crushing.
Alex was upset, but Bec dealt with him. And I felt terrible. After all, it was me that abruptly turned the car around because of the heavy rain. In fact, I am still quite upset about this. I really loved watching him play soccer. I never missed a game, and I even coached / refereed one of the games that his regular coaches couldn't make. Gutted.
So we missed the whole thing. And now we will have to wait until next year.
Not happy Jan. Not happy at all.
And I'm sorry Alex.
I am truly sorry.
So we step out the door all set to watch some kick-a$$ soccer, and then it starts to rain... But ever so slightly. So we decide to stick it out and go. So we all get in the car, and start the drive from Dartmouth to Sackville.
As we get closer to Sackville, the rain starts to come down really heavy. So we abort because I won't be having Alex playing soccer in heavy rain. A little rain's ok, but not as heavy as it was when we were half way there. So we turned around and had a really boring morning and afternoon. Alex was upset, but he understood that there was no soccer in the rain. And me and my wife stressed to him that it's ok, we'll just play next weekend because it's too rainy right now.
So the day wanes on, we talk to some people, who talked to other people. And then found out that it didn't rain in Sackville. And we missed his final soccer games of the year. And the presentation of his trophy and medal.
Crushing.
Alex was upset, but Bec dealt with him. And I felt terrible. After all, it was me that abruptly turned the car around because of the heavy rain. In fact, I am still quite upset about this. I really loved watching him play soccer. I never missed a game, and I even coached / refereed one of the games that his regular coaches couldn't make. Gutted.
So we missed the whole thing. And now we will have to wait until next year.
Not happy Jan. Not happy at all.
And I'm sorry Alex.
I am truly sorry.
Friday, August 15, 2008
Pics of the new house...
Alright, here are some pics of our new house.
And some of its occupants...
And besides looking good, the house is also across the road from a lake, and a few minutes away from a Trout stocked lake!!! YAY FOR ME!!!!
And some of its occupants...
And besides looking good, the house is also across the road from a lake, and a few minutes away from a Trout stocked lake!!! YAY FOR ME!!!!
oh lucky day for you!!
Yup, another post from me!!
Oh how happy you must be to read me again.
So... Alot of things have been going on lately.
Firstly, me and my lovely family (not pictured below) moved into our new house (without a credit card even) . I love it, my wife loves it, Alex loves it, and Madison loves it. The kids love the fact that they now have a lawn to play in!! I love the fact that it is not a duplex, has beautiful hardwood floor upstairs, 3 FULL baths, one being in the bedroom, a fully finished downstairs, and looks great with no need to do anything except put up a fence.
So that's been pretty cool.
I also took my family to Keji last week, 6 days after moving into our new house no less. If it wasn't so half rainy, I'm sure it would have been great. But as it was, the weather wasn't really... conducive to swimming, so not much of that happened. But it was nice camping with the kids, and my parents. I would have liked my vacation to have lasted longer, but it didn't. And now I am back at work. Doing alot of data analysis. I like doing data analysis because it is nice when you have something like that done. But it takes a while, and my boss will be wondering why I haven't done more experiments. I'll have to have a talk with him when he gets back from his vacation!!! on Monday or Tuesday I think. Hmmmmm...
Still don't have a credit card either. Went into the bank to try to get one, and forced them to change my name from Mr. to Dr. Amon. But apparently I don't make enough. I think that part of the problem is that I am not taxed, so when I give them my salary, they can't deal with it because it is not taxed, so they are thinking that I get less than I am. Grrrr..
I will get one though. It's amazing at the number of things that it would make easier.. Like renting a U-haul to move. That would have been alot easier with a credit card. Becoming a member of Canadian Automobile Association over the phone when I ran a flat and could not get the bloody tire off so I had to call a tow-truck to charge me $50+ dollars (fortunately, I asked a passer by to jump on the wrench as he weighed more than me and it worked, so I left my parking lot before the tow-truck came! Yay for me!!) or even to get a MacPass to pay the toll on the bridge that I now have to cross every day on my way to and from work instead of having to throw quarters into the toll... Of which I am now always in short supply of.
Jeez. What's a guy to do?
Oh how happy you must be to read me again.
So... Alot of things have been going on lately.
Firstly, me and my lovely family (not pictured below) moved into our new house (without a credit card even) . I love it, my wife loves it, Alex loves it, and Madison loves it. The kids love the fact that they now have a lawn to play in!! I love the fact that it is not a duplex, has beautiful hardwood floor upstairs, 3 FULL baths, one being in the bedroom, a fully finished downstairs, and looks great with no need to do anything except put up a fence.
So that's been pretty cool.
I also took my family to Keji last week, 6 days after moving into our new house no less. If it wasn't so half rainy, I'm sure it would have been great. But as it was, the weather wasn't really... conducive to swimming, so not much of that happened. But it was nice camping with the kids, and my parents. I would have liked my vacation to have lasted longer, but it didn't. And now I am back at work. Doing alot of data analysis. I like doing data analysis because it is nice when you have something like that done. But it takes a while, and my boss will be wondering why I haven't done more experiments. I'll have to have a talk with him when he gets back from his vacation!!! on Monday or Tuesday I think. Hmmmmm...
Still don't have a credit card either. Went into the bank to try to get one, and forced them to change my name from Mr. to Dr. Amon. But apparently I don't make enough. I think that part of the problem is that I am not taxed, so when I give them my salary, they can't deal with it because it is not taxed, so they are thinking that I get less than I am. Grrrr..
I will get one though. It's amazing at the number of things that it would make easier.. Like renting a U-haul to move. That would have been alot easier with a credit card. Becoming a member of Canadian Automobile Association over the phone when I ran a flat and could not get the bloody tire off so I had to call a tow-truck to charge me $50+ dollars (fortunately, I asked a passer by to jump on the wrench as he weighed more than me and it worked, so I left my parking lot before the tow-truck came! Yay for me!!) or even to get a MacPass to pay the toll on the bridge that I now have to cross every day on my way to and from work instead of having to throw quarters into the toll... Of which I am now always in short supply of.
Jeez. What's a guy to do?
Wednesday, July 16, 2008
Credit
Well hello there again...
An interesting thing happened to me and my wife the other day...
We applied for a credit card. We are finding ourselves needing one more and more as we wanted to rent a U-Haul to move at the end of the month, and because we didn't have one, we had to pay a $100 deposit in cash. Grrr...
So we applied for one. And the other day we got a letter in the mail from them saying that they are sorry but they don't think that we have the financial ability to handle a credit card, and that they were having problems assessing my credit history.
I know my credit history is problematic because I was in Australia for the past 7 years and therefore, because Australia (apparently) doesn't exist as a country capable of transferring or providing access to credit history of people who live there when they move overseas, I had/have no credit history. And therefore no credit card is possible.
BUT, when I was a student doing my BSc here at Dal, with no job, only a mounting student loan, I was capable of getting TWO credit cards!!! At the same time!!!! Yet now that I am Dr. Michael A. Amon, with a job, I cannot get a credit card.
What the hell!!!
I can get a mortgage for our new house, but not a stinking credit card!!
So, I will have to go elsewhere for my credit card...
Anyway, I just thought you all would like to know...
An interesting thing happened to me and my wife the other day...
We applied for a credit card. We are finding ourselves needing one more and more as we wanted to rent a U-Haul to move at the end of the month, and because we didn't have one, we had to pay a $100 deposit in cash. Grrr...
So we applied for one. And the other day we got a letter in the mail from them saying that they are sorry but they don't think that we have the financial ability to handle a credit card, and that they were having problems assessing my credit history.
I know my credit history is problematic because I was in Australia for the past 7 years and therefore, because Australia (apparently) doesn't exist as a country capable of transferring or providing access to credit history of people who live there when they move overseas, I had/have no credit history. And therefore no credit card is possible.
BUT, when I was a student doing my BSc here at Dal, with no job, only a mounting student loan, I was capable of getting TWO credit cards!!! At the same time!!!! Yet now that I am Dr. Michael A. Amon, with a job, I cannot get a credit card.
What the hell!!!
I can get a mortgage for our new house, but not a stinking credit card!!
So, I will have to go elsewhere for my credit card...
Anyway, I just thought you all would like to know...
Monday, July 07, 2008
Blah blah blah
Hullo again everyone... I know that it's been awhile, but what can I say, I am a busy man. I will now try to briefly explain why I have been so busy...
Over the Canada Day weekend, we went camping up at Shediac, New Brunswick. The first day there was a really beautiful day. The tent went up well, the sun was out, and the kids were alright. We got some firewood, roasted some marshmallows, and ended the day on a good up note. (Saturday).
Sunday came, and rained. And then it rained some more. But we had an awesome day at Crystal Palace so it didn't matter that much. And the tent held up pretty well. We will spray it with some kind of water-proofing stuff, but it was pretty good nonetheless. Alex really liked Crystal Palace despite not being able to go on the bumper cars or the swings because he is about an inch or two too short. But he did get to go on the roller coaster many many times. As expected, he didn't really want to leave though, but we did and he fell asleep in the car. On the way back to Shediac from Moncton, we listened to the radio to get the forecast for Monday, and low and behold, it predicted rain. Thunder showers even.
Crappity crap crap.
So we went to PEI on Monday. Ya, alot of driving for the kids, but it was worth it because they had a good time. We took Confederation Bridge, and the family was pretty impressed by it. After finding a place for Bec to use the bathroom that is. I love you dear.
The day turned out to be beautiful.
We first went to Summerside, had lunch and then roamed around there for a little bit taking in the sites and candy from this candy store. We went inside this little "light house / lookout" which was pretty cool mainly because Alex has been dying to see the inside of a lighthouse. even though this one wasn't a real light-house, he still really enjoyed it. So next we went to Charlottetown where they were having a really big concert that we didn't have tickets for, nor could we get tickets for because they were all sold out and we had two kids in tow. But there was a free petting zoo, and several free jumping castles which both Mads and Alex loved! After the jumping castles, we went to a park in Charlottetown on the waterfront where there was a pool (we didn't bring swimmers due to the predicted rain etc).. So we played in the playground for a while and again, the kids had a really good time, so it was another good day. Of note though, when we were leaving downtown Charlottetown (the jumping castles), across the rd from where we were parked, were two police officers and a tow truck... they were loading up 2 nice motorcycles that were illegally parked on the side of the rd. I am sorry to say that I did have to laugh a little bit... How crappy must that night have been for the two owners, who may have been in line for the concert which was about to begin, to come out of the concert all happy at seeing Collective Soul (heard their sound check) and whatever other bands were playing, only to find that they had no ride home. Sorry guys.... or girls...
It wasn't raining that night when we got back to Shediac, but we couldn't make a fire because me, being the clever doctor boy that I am, left the wood outside on the first night, when it rained. So the wood was soaked. I managed to get a small fire going, but the wood was just too soaked to burn properly. So no roasted marshmallows for my family as I am a failure as a woodsman. A failure indeed. But I have learned my lesson, and I generally don't make the same mistake twice, usually, unless it was really fun to make that mistake, then maybe I would make that mistake several more times, and then some more. Enough of that, sidetracked I guess... Always cover your wood.
So Tuesday came, and it was really hot, which made the drive home really nice for the three hours or so in the car with no air conditioning. It was awesome! Sweating bullets like there was no tomorrow, stopping to photograph my beautiful wife in front of the giant blueberry in Oxford NS, and then getting home.... Where we had a quick supper and went down to the waterfront for the Fireworks, which again, we all enjoyed. It wasn't quite as extravagant as those in Sydney, Australia, but they were good nonetheless. I think that if they could put the fireworks to music, it would blow the audience away...
Anyway, so that was my Canada Day weekend, more things happened that I neglected to include, like Rebecca's discovery of real mosquitoes. The Australian's think that they have bad mosquitoes, but honestly, I couldn't agree less. And now, neither can my wife. Or Madison, who was a frequent pin cushion. Nor about my problems with Tim Horton's...
But that's another blog. Maybe the next one as I haven't felt the need to rant much lately...
Cheers,
I gotta go now.
Over the Canada Day weekend, we went camping up at Shediac, New Brunswick. The first day there was a really beautiful day. The tent went up well, the sun was out, and the kids were alright. We got some firewood, roasted some marshmallows, and ended the day on a good up note. (Saturday).
Sunday came, and rained. And then it rained some more. But we had an awesome day at Crystal Palace so it didn't matter that much. And the tent held up pretty well. We will spray it with some kind of water-proofing stuff, but it was pretty good nonetheless. Alex really liked Crystal Palace despite not being able to go on the bumper cars or the swings because he is about an inch or two too short. But he did get to go on the roller coaster many many times. As expected, he didn't really want to leave though, but we did and he fell asleep in the car. On the way back to Shediac from Moncton, we listened to the radio to get the forecast for Monday, and low and behold, it predicted rain. Thunder showers even.
Crappity crap crap.
So we went to PEI on Monday. Ya, alot of driving for the kids, but it was worth it because they had a good time. We took Confederation Bridge, and the family was pretty impressed by it. After finding a place for Bec to use the bathroom that is. I love you dear.
The day turned out to be beautiful.
We first went to Summerside, had lunch and then roamed around there for a little bit taking in the sites and candy from this candy store. We went inside this little "light house / lookout" which was pretty cool mainly because Alex has been dying to see the inside of a lighthouse. even though this one wasn't a real light-house, he still really enjoyed it. So next we went to Charlottetown where they were having a really big concert that we didn't have tickets for, nor could we get tickets for because they were all sold out and we had two kids in tow. But there was a free petting zoo, and several free jumping castles which both Mads and Alex loved! After the jumping castles, we went to a park in Charlottetown on the waterfront where there was a pool (we didn't bring swimmers due to the predicted rain etc).. So we played in the playground for a while and again, the kids had a really good time, so it was another good day. Of note though, when we were leaving downtown Charlottetown (the jumping castles), across the rd from where we were parked, were two police officers and a tow truck... they were loading up 2 nice motorcycles that were illegally parked on the side of the rd. I am sorry to say that I did have to laugh a little bit... How crappy must that night have been for the two owners, who may have been in line for the concert which was about to begin, to come out of the concert all happy at seeing Collective Soul (heard their sound check) and whatever other bands were playing, only to find that they had no ride home. Sorry guys.... or girls...
It wasn't raining that night when we got back to Shediac, but we couldn't make a fire because me, being the clever doctor boy that I am, left the wood outside on the first night, when it rained. So the wood was soaked. I managed to get a small fire going, but the wood was just too soaked to burn properly. So no roasted marshmallows for my family as I am a failure as a woodsman. A failure indeed. But I have learned my lesson, and I generally don't make the same mistake twice, usually, unless it was really fun to make that mistake, then maybe I would make that mistake several more times, and then some more. Enough of that, sidetracked I guess... Always cover your wood.
So Tuesday came, and it was really hot, which made the drive home really nice for the three hours or so in the car with no air conditioning. It was awesome! Sweating bullets like there was no tomorrow, stopping to photograph my beautiful wife in front of the giant blueberry in Oxford NS, and then getting home.... Where we had a quick supper and went down to the waterfront for the Fireworks, which again, we all enjoyed. It wasn't quite as extravagant as those in Sydney, Australia, but they were good nonetheless. I think that if they could put the fireworks to music, it would blow the audience away...
Anyway, so that was my Canada Day weekend, more things happened that I neglected to include, like Rebecca's discovery of real mosquitoes. The Australian's think that they have bad mosquitoes, but honestly, I couldn't agree less. And now, neither can my wife. Or Madison, who was a frequent pin cushion. Nor about my problems with Tim Horton's...
But that's another blog. Maybe the next one as I haven't felt the need to rant much lately...
Cheers,
I gotta go now.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Back to my old tricks...
What tricks you may be finding yourself asking... Pretty lame ones actually... I'm simply referring to the long lag between posts. It seems that I am a pretty busy guy at work. And I don't really like to do much on computers when I am at home, so that leaves me with little time to do this.. . But I haven't forgotten about you all. I do read your posts, and think that I should post more regularly.
But Alas.
I find myself not posting.
Anyway though...
So Alex is now a soccer star. Well not a star yet, but he's exceeding my expectations. He, unfortunately, has the genetic problem shared with most first-borns in my wife's family... Mainly an inability to run without looking like they are running like a girl. My wife has this problem. Her first born cousin (a boy) has this problem, and my son has this problem. Interesting thing about it though, is that my wife's cousin (who is over 20 now) has known that he has this problem for quite some time. And he plays soccer. Or at least he still did when I was last in Australia. But he has come over this problem by running as fast as he possibly can. Which apparently cures the disease for as long as one is running as fast as they possibly can. He doesn't jog, lest the affliction should rear its ugly (yet funny) head.
Alex, playing soccer, seems to work. He hasn't scored a goal yet, but he has entered the fray of 5 year olds struggling for the ball, come out of the fray with said ball, and ran to the other net with everyone else chasing him three times last game. He didn't score because he was concentrating a bit on lining himself up with the net etc... but he got 2 assists out of it as someone else on his team did the scoring. So he's up-and-coming. Maybe I'll try to post a pic or two, but that might seem out of character as of late, so I likely won't.
Other things have happened, but of more importance, it was Father's Day yesterday.. I thank my lovely wife, daughter Mads, and son Alex for thier great presents. Of which I don't have time to list. But Alex was most excited about the Star Wars Lego game from the Wii. Of which we played for about 2 hours last night!!! Yay for us!!!
But I would also like to wish my Dad a great Father's Day. Sorry we couldn't be there on the day, but I hope that the day before helped make up for it!! Thank you Dad for being the man that you are. A good, stand-up guy who's not afraid to do what needs to be done. Who's taught his children the meaning of work, while never sacrificing time with his kids. I am still working on that one. I also think that Dad probably contradicts the notion of a sensitive, new-age man, in that I have always known him to wear his heart on his sleeve. And in doing so, we've all known exactly where we stood with him. That he loves me, or the rest of his kids, grandkids etc, has never been in question. Under any circumstances.
So thank you Dad.
One day I hope to live up to the model that you have lived.
But Alas.
I find myself not posting.
Anyway though...
So Alex is now a soccer star. Well not a star yet, but he's exceeding my expectations. He, unfortunately, has the genetic problem shared with most first-borns in my wife's family... Mainly an inability to run without looking like they are running like a girl. My wife has this problem. Her first born cousin (a boy) has this problem, and my son has this problem. Interesting thing about it though, is that my wife's cousin (who is over 20 now) has known that he has this problem for quite some time. And he plays soccer. Or at least he still did when I was last in Australia. But he has come over this problem by running as fast as he possibly can. Which apparently cures the disease for as long as one is running as fast as they possibly can. He doesn't jog, lest the affliction should rear its ugly (yet funny) head.
Alex, playing soccer, seems to work. He hasn't scored a goal yet, but he has entered the fray of 5 year olds struggling for the ball, come out of the fray with said ball, and ran to the other net with everyone else chasing him three times last game. He didn't score because he was concentrating a bit on lining himself up with the net etc... but he got 2 assists out of it as someone else on his team did the scoring. So he's up-and-coming. Maybe I'll try to post a pic or two, but that might seem out of character as of late, so I likely won't.
Other things have happened, but of more importance, it was Father's Day yesterday.. I thank my lovely wife, daughter Mads, and son Alex for thier great presents. Of which I don't have time to list. But Alex was most excited about the Star Wars Lego game from the Wii. Of which we played for about 2 hours last night!!! Yay for us!!!
But I would also like to wish my Dad a great Father's Day. Sorry we couldn't be there on the day, but I hope that the day before helped make up for it!! Thank you Dad for being the man that you are. A good, stand-up guy who's not afraid to do what needs to be done. Who's taught his children the meaning of work, while never sacrificing time with his kids. I am still working on that one. I also think that Dad probably contradicts the notion of a sensitive, new-age man, in that I have always known him to wear his heart on his sleeve. And in doing so, we've all known exactly where we stood with him. That he loves me, or the rest of his kids, grandkids etc, has never been in question. Under any circumstances.
So thank you Dad.
One day I hope to live up to the model that you have lived.
Saturday, May 31, 2008
Secrets Revealed
Ya, it's another exciting and inventful blog post title. Man I am Mr Creativity eh? Ah well as my millions of regular readers will already know, I don't care enough. So I'm down the coast visiting my parents. It's raining pretty heavily so we're all staying in and I think that I will try to watch hockey tonight with Alex as he is favoring the Red Wings instead of the home-town favorites Penguins. Ah well, they scored first in the previous game we were watching (Detroit vs Dallas I believe it was).
Anyway though. I thought that I would address the previous post and clear up a few things. About the big experiment making me sound like I am a mad scientist. Yes, it's true, I am a mad scientist and am planning to take over the world with my madness. Mwa ha ha hahahahah !! If you can try to make that sound as evil and menacing as possible, that could only help the effect of my madness encompassing even you as I sit hear writing, subliminally entering your mind and planting thoughts of madness, my madness, in you. So thanks for your support. I'll thank you in the credits.
I can't remember if that particular experiment worked or not. But I think that that particular experiment worked... fabulously. Fabulously in that the data was beautiful, the analysis went really well in a custom made Excel spreadsheet I made to automatically calculate alot of data and decide which data to use based on minimal input from me... And fabulously in that the experiment, which takes over a month to do must be re-done. Using slightly different conditions. But the data looked so good that it was undeniably so. This questioned the re-producability of certian things, in that there are two diffferent sets of results with only a small change which shouldn't have changed things. But it did. Bugger.
But another big experiment worked just as beautiful for the reasons I already said. Except that this time, it worked reproducably. So happy day. My madness will encompass you sooner than later. ANyway. I think that I should go as I might be going to the movie tongiht as the rain looks like it may have slowed.
So cheers, and keep your eyes peeled for the subtle sings of my imminent take over. As I have planted things in your head already, you will recognize the signs before the rest of the world. SO think of yourselves as being in my inner circle.
Cheers.
Anyway though. I thought that I would address the previous post and clear up a few things. About the big experiment making me sound like I am a mad scientist. Yes, it's true, I am a mad scientist and am planning to take over the world with my madness. Mwa ha ha hahahahah !! If you can try to make that sound as evil and menacing as possible, that could only help the effect of my madness encompassing even you as I sit hear writing, subliminally entering your mind and planting thoughts of madness, my madness, in you. So thanks for your support. I'll thank you in the credits.
I can't remember if that particular experiment worked or not. But I think that that particular experiment worked... fabulously. Fabulously in that the data was beautiful, the analysis went really well in a custom made Excel spreadsheet I made to automatically calculate alot of data and decide which data to use based on minimal input from me... And fabulously in that the experiment, which takes over a month to do must be re-done. Using slightly different conditions. But the data looked so good that it was undeniably so. This questioned the re-producability of certian things, in that there are two diffferent sets of results with only a small change which shouldn't have changed things. But it did. Bugger.
But another big experiment worked just as beautiful for the reasons I already said. Except that this time, it worked reproducably. So happy day. My madness will encompass you sooner than later. ANyway. I think that I should go as I might be going to the movie tongiht as the rain looks like it may have slowed.
So cheers, and keep your eyes peeled for the subtle sings of my imminent take over. As I have planted things in your head already, you will recognize the signs before the rest of the world. SO think of yourselves as being in my inner circle.
Cheers.
Monday, May 26, 2008
Doesn't it feel good?
hey there everyone, I just thought that i would drop my loyal followers a line to say hey.. Hey.
Life doesn't seem to be going too bad lately, and in fact it might be going alright. I really should be writing up a method for tomorrow morning as I have another pretty big experiment to do, but guess what!! I have the help of a lovely summer co-op student!! Honestly, she's helped me out a fair bit too. But I just couldn;t keep away and now I leave to prepare for tomorrow... Such is the life of a Post-doc...
Life doesn't seem to be going too bad lately, and in fact it might be going alright. I really should be writing up a method for tomorrow morning as I have another pretty big experiment to do, but guess what!! I have the help of a lovely summer co-op student!! Honestly, she's helped me out a fair bit too. But I just couldn;t keep away and now I leave to prepare for tomorrow... Such is the life of a Post-doc...
Sunday, May 11, 2008
Happy Mother's Day
I just thought that I would wish the thousands of mothers who read this blog a Happy Mother's Day!! As a husband to a mother, I'm sorry that only one day out of the year is devoted to you being the great mother that you are, but even more sorry that such a wonderful mother such as yourself got stuck with me eh!!
Ah well, if only you knew then what you know now!!
And for my own mother, thank you dearly for all the love and support that you have given me, and all your kids, over the years. We wouldn't be where we are today if it wasn't for you. And while we may still be finding our way in certain aspects, you've given us a beacon to look to and have been a pillar of strength for us in times of trouble. Thank you. If Baha'i's did the Saint thing, I'd put you up for one. Maybe even two although I know they don't do that kind of thing. You're worth it!
Love you all dearly, and I hope today gets to be a proud wearer of you smiles!
Ah well, if only you knew then what you know now!!
And for my own mother, thank you dearly for all the love and support that you have given me, and all your kids, over the years. We wouldn't be where we are today if it wasn't for you. And while we may still be finding our way in certain aspects, you've given us a beacon to look to and have been a pillar of strength for us in times of trouble. Thank you. If Baha'i's did the Saint thing, I'd put you up for one. Maybe even two although I know they don't do that kind of thing. You're worth it!
Love you all dearly, and I hope today gets to be a proud wearer of you smiles!
Friday, May 09, 2008
Here's the recoil.
Thanks for requesting that I write. Despite it only being since the 28th of April. Less than one month. Less than two weeks. I write in spurts.
Sporadic.
It is a complicated mathematical equation that not even I am aware of.
It also depends on my moods. Which fluctuates more than I wish sometimes.
And for the past less than 2 weeks, I've been busy and not really feeling like writing.
And today ended on a particularly pissy note. Leaving me feeling just that.
So sorry I haven't written.
Next one will come when it comes. and as I'm sure you may all be aware of, it's a complicated mathematical equation. known for only one thing... that it is inversely related to it's being asked for.
This post being the exception.
Cheers.
Sporadic.
It is a complicated mathematical equation that not even I am aware of.
It also depends on my moods. Which fluctuates more than I wish sometimes.
And for the past less than 2 weeks, I've been busy and not really feeling like writing.
And today ended on a particularly pissy note. Leaving me feeling just that.
So sorry I haven't written.
Next one will come when it comes. and as I'm sure you may all be aware of, it's a complicated mathematical equation. known for only one thing... that it is inversely related to it's being asked for.
This post being the exception.
Cheers.
Monday, April 28, 2008
Welcome back maybe?
I just thought that I would take the time to formally welcome back Aussies Nan to the fold. Or whatever may be left of it as it seems that Facebook has taken over. And I know that I may be jumping the gun as only one post since something like October of last year. But I am a strong believer in positive re-enforcement. So here's hoping that this is the start of a new age in my little blogging family..
That, my friends, is a little subtle hint to the rest of my links on the right. Re-enforced.
See, I'm consistent.
Gotta run.
That, my friends, is a little subtle hint to the rest of my links on the right. Re-enforced.
See, I'm consistent.
Gotta run.
Friday, April 25, 2008
A Dieu
Well, I tried again. but I just can't do it for some odd reason.
Over the years I have tried several times to sign your guest book. I just can't do it and I really don't know why. Maybe I', still mad at you for forcing me to take that phone call in the middle of the night, or early morning as the case was. Glad it was Jason that made the call though. But I hate answering the phone in the middle of the night. Thanks Canada Student Loan people for continuing to call me in the wee hours of the am while I was in "Oz. You helped me re-live those moments regularly. (Please feel the bitterness in my voice over that one).
I don't know.
I don't even think I've been able to make a private contribution to your guest book. Man, how many ways do I suck. I don't even know what it is symbolizing for me that I can't do it. I really thought that I could today, I started typing, and then had to stop. No tears or anything like that. I accept that he has gone and is now making fun of my inability to sign a Guest Book!! (Shaking fists into the air in a good hearted fashion) Bastard!!! I'll show you when I see you again!!!
I know it's not good to speak ill of the dead, but I'm not. i'm just playing with him. And he knows it.
Jeez, I may have to stop now. I haven't welled up in a while, and I am at work so not a good time.
Bye Chris, Sorry I can't sign you off yet. But I don't think that I ever will.
Bugger.
Over the years I have tried several times to sign your guest book. I just can't do it and I really don't know why. Maybe I', still mad at you for forcing me to take that phone call in the middle of the night, or early morning as the case was. Glad it was Jason that made the call though. But I hate answering the phone in the middle of the night. Thanks Canada Student Loan people for continuing to call me in the wee hours of the am while I was in "Oz. You helped me re-live those moments regularly. (Please feel the bitterness in my voice over that one).
I don't know.
I don't even think I've been able to make a private contribution to your guest book. Man, how many ways do I suck. I don't even know what it is symbolizing for me that I can't do it. I really thought that I could today, I started typing, and then had to stop. No tears or anything like that. I accept that he has gone and is now making fun of my inability to sign a Guest Book!! (Shaking fists into the air in a good hearted fashion) Bastard!!! I'll show you when I see you again!!!
I know it's not good to speak ill of the dead, but I'm not. i'm just playing with him. And he knows it.
Jeez, I may have to stop now. I haven't welled up in a while, and I am at work so not a good time.
Bye Chris, Sorry I can't sign you off yet. But I don't think that I ever will.
Bugger.
A little worried...
It snowed today.
Why does this worry me?
Because it is the end of April; I just left Australia just before summer started; and it's almost bloody May. This leads me to worry that my wife may leave me because of the snow. Not much snow mind you, but snow nonetheless. I am also worried because I can not for the life of me remember saying that snow was ok to have today.
Not happy at all.
Ah well, I just thought I'd share that with you. I have to get back to work.
Why does this worry me?
Because it is the end of April; I just left Australia just before summer started; and it's almost bloody May. This leads me to worry that my wife may leave me because of the snow. Not much snow mind you, but snow nonetheless. I am also worried because I can not for the life of me remember saying that snow was ok to have today.
Not happy at all.
Ah well, I just thought I'd share that with you. I have to get back to work.
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