Bleeding on the Edge of the Information Highway

Time Flies.....

2011-05-26T11:57:00.000-07:00

Really, I can't believe it. Middle of the year is almost here, June is just weeks away. It's been a real poor Winter/Spring and looks like the investment in the grow lights for the peppers and tomato's was a good call. It's finally warm enough at night to start moving them outside (Tomato's back in the driveway and peppers into the old greenhouse. ), although I am going to leave a heater out there just in case, as one night this week is supposed to get down to 6. Just crazy though, I don't remember another year here in Vic that has been like this, but you have to work with it not much choice eh? The Peppers (Bhut Naga Jolakia and Fatali) are about 2.5 feet now and have started to flower, so I have taken the Lights down and hoping they will get enough of what they need through the clouds. Pretty exciting to attempt to grow them, can't wait to try the fruit out. The seeds were planted at the beginning of March so we are at about 10 weeks or so....

Came across an article on Christopher McCandless (AKA "Alexander Supertramp"), not really sure where I began reading it, just one of the usual looking on the Net for one thing and end up going down the path on something else. This kind of story has always interested me with the likes of Richard Proenneke, Jack London, Les Stroud, Ray Mears and pretty much anyone else who tried to make a go of it, surviving alone in the wilderness. As you would expect not all the stories end on a happy note, as not all such adventures do either. Christopher McCandless is such a story, unfortunately a really bad movie was made, loosely based on his story, Into the Wilderness Directed by Sean Penn, a much better peek into what happened and perhaps the naivety of putting yourself into the situation he did without preparation is better shown in Ron Lamothe's "The Call of the Wild". It's kind of similar to the Tim Treadwell story, in a sense at least as far as not having the knowledge to know what the risks are and what you are getting into. I mean don't get me wrong Treadwell did a lot of good things for kids, and wildlife, just think he underestimated his situation and paid the ultimate price for it. I would think though based on everything I had read and watched on him that it would not have detracted him at all even if he knew how his end would come. I am not sure that the same could be said for McCandless, less than a 1/4 mile from where he ended his existence was a hand cranked basket to get across the river, the river that he thought prevented him from crossing. Knowledge of the area or a good map would have saved him.

Don't know if it's the weather or age or just the fact I have not been out camping alone in so long, but I am finding I am getting more and more annoyed with fellow humans I meet everyday,

between drivers running red lights,
racing down streets not thinking of anyone else,
people walking down the sidewalks bumping into each other (OK I mean me - pisses me off),
The fact that there are so many that never think of others, only themselves (and think they are all that)
News stories breaking always talking about some greedy sod (Person, Politician, or Corporation) hosing someone else over smile on their face,
The abundance of animal abuse,
even Government sanctioned actions like the Seal Hunt................

Maybe I just need a break, either that or I am turning into a Walter Matthau Grumpy Old Man character (well the first steps anyways... I'm not that old yet)

Leaving Home for Home

2011-01-05T14:13:00.001-08:00

We are just on our last day here in the North, it’s been a fantastic time. We’ve had lots of laughs and enjoyment celebrating Christmas and New Years with the family. Visiting friends we have not seen in quite a while, seeing places and changes in our little town. We were given the weather I had hoped for, (cold wintery stuff) until today when it has changed and is now on a warming trend until the end of the week. We leave tomorrow heading to Prince George to visit with some friends for a couple of days, and I am hoping the highways improve before then, lots of snow from Kitwanga right thru till Prince George. At least the road crews will have a full day to work on it until then.

This is the part of the Province I would like to live in again, this or further North. Just so easy to get the dog in the truck and head off out to the middle of nowhere and walk, explore, take all Mother Nature has to offer in. Keeping your eyes and ears open for the creatures in the forest, that I am sure are watching me. Checking for tracks in the snow, figuring out what’s around. It’s pretty deep stuff to start thinking about how they survive out there, and how few of us would be able to anymore. There are those folks who make it work out there, the ones who live there fulltime or the people like Les Stroud who strive to learn from those who can live in the wild. It would be great to live back up here and be able to test yourself frequently and hone those skills, hard to do so from Victoria, just no real getting away from everyone and everything.

Be quite something to be some of the first settlers or trappers up this way, so much of it is still wild one can only imagine how wild it was 150 years ago. It could have not been easy in any way to make it work, and I am sure many folks never made it, or turned tail and headed back south as soon as they could.

I have a ton of pictures to process when I get home so will update the flickr and photosites when I can, pictures of wilderness walks, visitors from the wild, celebrations with friends and family, watching our nephews play hockey (will be pro’s some day I am sure) in Hazelton, and even some of the road trip… stay tuned…

EOF…..LC

Great White North, eh?

2010-12-28T08:37:00.001-08:00

Hope everyone else’s Christmas went as well as ours. Back home in the cold and snow, and for me this really makes the Season the way it should be. Guess a big part of it is where you grow up with it. I often think how strange it would be to celebrate Christmas/New Year’s in someplace hot like Australia or Hawaii. Yes its what their used to, but I think it would be bizarre to be singing “Six White Boomers’ and buying into it. Each their own, but prefer the White Christmas themed songs…

Odin, is absolutely in his element, all this freedom, and open space for him to explore, he loves this place, not sure how much he will enjoy going back to the City. We were out with the Brother-in-law, his Wife, daughters, and their 2 dogs. Walking the logging roads, just incredible scenery. Reminds me how much I miss all of this. Solitude, wilderness, silence, and vast space that is not overrun with people. Maybe its more than Odin who is in his element?

Christmas is Coming!

2010-12-11T15:04:00.000-08:00

So hard to believe that Christmas is just around the corner, followed quickly by the beginning of the New Year! I really like this time of year, yeah the cliché's abound, stores are crazy busy, but even I notice how much more pleasant and compassionate folks are to one another this time of year. Little things from a smile and nod of the head while holding the door, letting another driver out into the line, and not being afraid to wish each other the best of the season. Then there are the people who pull out all the stops by lifting everyone's spirits by going balls to the wall with Christmas Decorations, folks who volunteer to help those much less fortunate (and there are many more of those people who are in need this year), many who contribute and assist the feathered and furry creatures who sometimes get overlooked during the season. I think if it was not for these types of people who seemingly appear out of no where much like Mr. Claus, well I would be able to say the the world has gone to the preverbal in a hand basket. As greed seems to abound, and I still feel that unfortunately it is more and more people who are travelling this route, there are still those advanced souls who keep the spirit of the season in their hearts and try to show us all what its all about. I am very thankful to have quite a few of these people around me in my life 365 days a year. So there is no reason I cannot learn by their deeds and thoughts. I know I have a long way to grow spiritually, (and that word does not have to just be religious but encompasses so much more.), socially, perhaps that is why I am presented with the lessons around me that I am? Can only hope to grow and help to look after life around me no matter the form that it takes.

I attended the Boomer's Legacy Gala a little while ago, and was really looking forward to seeing the pictures the Professional Photographer took of Mel Cooper, General Hillier and myself… so here they are, at least the ones I downloaded… very cool. An event I will remember for sometime to come, not every day you meet so many movers and shakers in Canadian politics, Military and Media. Was a really special night for me. Thanks Mel!!

More to come before the big day… stay tuned… Merry Christmas!!!

EOF - - LC

Knock Knock! Who's there? Old Man Winter

2010-11-20T07:52:00.001-08:00

While it was predicted, it was still great to wake up to a bit of the white stuff this morning. Looking at weather reports we have much more (hopefully) coming. It's such a great change, brightens everything up and makes it feel like winter, as it should. Victoria is not really known for the full onslaught of a four season Year. Our winters are usually very mild, and sometimes wet, but with the occasional days or more of weather that resembles a Fall day or an early Spring one. Odin as expected luvs the snow, as I think most dogs do. He spent much of his time out chasing, who knows what, putting his nose into the snow and lifting the snow back towards the skies… Just having the morning coffee before I take the hounds for their walk. I think Odin is pretty keyed up to go and do some more running in it.

Guess I better get the winter tires on the Truck tomorrow as well, heck that was what they were bought for. As I get older I find I really miss living in an area with all four seasons (not sure if this is a "Grass is always greener" feeling or a "Looking at the past through Pink Shades"), I grew up in Edmonton,. Alberta. Where you could always be guaranteed winter, sometimes it was the other season that suffered. There was always a great feel to the winter season, it was not a "beating my chest" I am tough feeling, but rather an enjoyment of experiencing that side of Mother Nature. Wonder where the best and most consistent place in Canada is for having all four seasons? Some said places like Penticton and Kelowna. What's your thoughts? Prince George? It's a really nice place too.

EOF --- LC

November..

2010-11-03T14:10:00.000-07:00

Remember, remember the Fifth of November,

The Gunpowder Treason and Plot,

I know of no reason

Why the Gunpowder Treason

Should ever be forgot

Typical, I usually cheer for the underdog, it was one of the reasons I really liked the twisted tale based on the above, in the movie `V for Vendetta`. I guess in some circles (religious and Political) though this time of year has such a bonding or rallying effect. Does it still do so for the families who celebrate "bonfire night" or has it instead become yet another commercial marking of the passing days? I do think today that most folks, regular hard-working types, would also be behind Guy F, at least in the wish to start the government again from scratch, trying to eliminate corruption and turning it back (if it ever was) to a position of service to the people.

Cranked up the wood stove Saturday night, held off for as long as we could but it was starting to get a little damp in the Mornings, not really cold enough to hit it full on, and balancing the heat with the open window or door. Still nice to get up in the AM to a little bit of heat, so much nicer to have a coffee while sitting in the warmth. Gotta keep moving though, so easy to succomb to the heat, and sneak in a few naps. :-)

Just prepping the office for paint and flooring. Gettting a good coat of Kilz-2 on, then will follow up with a good quality primer. As for the floor I think I am going to install some wood-look vinyl product, it comes in strips, and ends up looking very much like real wood flooring, but a bit more heavy-duty (10 Year Commercial warranty), this is one of the Manufacturers sites. I have also decided to scale back on the desk design, I wanted to do concrete topped desks, but nothing is going to cure very quickly at this time of year, plus maybe a simpler design like this, might really complement the room. I forgot how small the room is (11 x 12) so space is a premium, need two desks, 1 area for printers/scanner, bookshelfs, then later over-desk cupboards or shelves. The wiring is behind the wall ready to be pulled and mounted to the desks. Then will put arborite over the desks to give them a nicer finish that is durable.

I have a big event to attend this Saturday , Boomer's Legacy - 4th Annual Fundraising event being held at Royal Roads University. I have been invited by one of the organizer's, and will be sitting at General Hillier's Table. Yeah I am stoked! Picking up a new suit tomorrow, I have it on good authority that I clean up pretty good.

Whiskyfest tickets go on sale tomorrow, going to have to do everything I can to get tickets for the event in January. Going to be a blast.

EOF - - LC

2010-10-09T12:32:00.000-07:00

While driving from Laughlin to Las Vegas for our flight home, we were pursued by a pretty serious Lightening and Thunderstorm. This picture I took from the bus, just outside Vegas, of a distant mountain being engulfed by the dark fast moving clouds.. suitably moody I thought. Nothing like storms in the desert, you can have a massive downpour of rain that causes flash floods on the road, then two hours later, everything is very dry again and you would not be able to tell that it had rained at all.

EOF LC

In-Betweener

2010-09-08T18:13:00.000-07:00

Well that time of year again. As a motorcyclist it's a weird time, the time when you are about leave for work, in the near dark, just before the dawn - already miss the bright morning greeting from my friend Sol - you have to check the weatherundergound site, then calculate the odds hmm 30% chance of rain, 70% chance of no rain then factor in 10 to 16 Celsius then add the 50- 60 K/hr self-created wind chill. Once the computer spits out the result then head to the closet to pick the riding gear for the day, hopefully picking right. This past summer as most of my riding was commuting to and from work, I wore my Motorhead hoody, skull gloves and runners, yeah I know not advised but it was hot and dry. This time of year having to go back to full gear, I am always very resistant to swapping over, much like giving up the shorts and sandals and revert back to jeans, boots and jackets. The non-summer gear includes a 3 season all weather riding jacket, waterproof/windproof pants (later in the year the addition of Joe Rocket insulated/padded pants when winter really kicks in), Insulated leather gauntlets, and full height tactical boots. Later in the year the addition of 3 stage snowmobile gloves and heated vest gets me through the dead of winter ) and makes me feel more like a spaceman than motorcyclist. Well no fighting it, just have to knuckle under and look forward to the positive changes of the season. Supposed to be a long cold one, so hoping for a real winter..

The King lives, Baby!!! Come get some!
OK hope this is really it and its going to happen this time, it's been 12 years in development and in that time it has become the Poster boy (Poster Software just doesn't seem right) for all that is Vapourware. Duke Nukem - Forever, (like the time I have been waiting for it's release) is due to release in 2011 from Take-Two entertainment. Story from RegHardware here and News release from Take Two here.

EOF - LC

Darker and Darker

2010-08-22T12:03:00.000-07:00

Well looks as though the summer is waning, Our walks in the Morning have returned to plodding through the darkness, time to get the Headlamp out again. Sunrise has slipped back to past 6:00, and later and later. It is one of the true "in your face" counting of the passing of time. Guess it is due to the time I get up and when we walk. It's back to that time where I can not let Odin off the leash, as he can see more than I. With the Rabbits and Deer out in force, and my buddies inclination to see them as chase able targets it's just not worth the risk. Still a brilliant walk and the best way to start the day.

We just had a big Party for my Wife, it was her (censored) birthday! Pretty sure I will be in the Doghouse if I say how young she is.. I think she was absolutely thrilled with the turnout, all of her friends that were able to be here no matter how far away they were showed up. Her Family came down from up North, Her Aunt and Uncle came from England. It was fantastic! I know she knows how important she is to everyone and how much she is loved. Our Friends up the road let us hold it at their house, where they have a beautiful yard. We got a keg of Phillips Blue Buck, had two BBQ's cranking out the Burgers, along with all kinds of salads, baked Salmon, Ham and home made Baked goods and chocolate covered strawberries (I missed out on them Grrr!). Even Old Mother Nature participated and gave us a brilliant day to celebrate in. Pictures Here.

EOF -- LC

King Odin

2010-08-18T17:49:00.001-07:00

King Odin
Originally uploaded by Logantech

We have just come through the extended heat wave, most days over 30 some even reaching 35. Sorry I do not do heat very well. Low to mid 20's is my comfort zone, or drop me into minus whatever. Anyways out playing with the camera,and caught this very regal shot of Odin, not sure what he was looking at, but by the look on his face whatever it was belongs to him. :-)

Red Sun

2010-08-07T08:11:00.000-07:00

Woke up to an amazing sunrise yesterday. Due to the smoke from all the fires on the Mainland, Old Friend Sol was glowing red. They have had Air Quaility warnings for us, but nothing severe like Vancouver. Or worse yet Moscow! Poor Buggers, being told to stay inside, no Air Conditioning, so you suffacate or go outside and breathe in the smoke and chemicals.. heck of a choice.

EOF - - LC

Last few Bits

2010-04-18T10:52:00.000-07:00

Just giving the Tile/Grout a final wipedown this AM then 48 hours later I can seal it off. The Choice of Colours the Wife has picked really goes well with the Teracota Coloured Tile. The Grout is a bit different than the grout we used in the rest of the house, but I think it actually adds a depth which brings the Terracota shades forward more. I have to measure up for Window Ledges/sills, Molding and Blinds. My Mother-in-Law suggested tiling the Ledges, I think doing this on the largest window will look great and will tie it off to the floor nicely. Will have to check at Pacific Flooring for Tile and Bull-nosing to see whats out there. The other wood for the ledges is going to be stained (as is the molding) to match our New Bedroom Suite. It will be very different when we move into the room, compared to the room we are in now, especially with the reno hell we have been in. Our Master Bedroom right now is part bedroom part reno storage... fun NOT! ;-)

My new Truck has been treating me right. Getting the front wheel bearings done this week, my mechanic gave it a once over and full mainteniance fluid/filter change this past week. Truck passed, only the wheel bearings need immediate attention. Such good news, I was worried as I got the truck at a very good price, I gave it a once over when I took it out for a test drive, and the guy I bought it from seemed honest enough, but you always worry. Turns out worry for nothing. She's not brand new, a 2003 F350 4x4, a few dings and things, but with a little attention and looking after the general maintenance the truck should do me for some time. Great to have a fullsize truck again, even better having a diesel. First ever for me, so a bit different than the gas engines. Luv the sound and the fact that for transporting or pulling there are very few limitations. Can't wait to do a road trip to Northern BC, then bomb up the Logging roads in the truck.

The Wife is over in the Mainland this weekend, her nephews are down from Hazelton as part of the Northern Selects Hockey Team playing a friendly tournament at Planet Ice in Coquitlam. Guess one of her Nephews was selected MVP, and the team has gone on to the finals, playing today. Can't wait to see the pictures and movies of them playing. I hear they are very very good. Be cool if they eventually get to the NHL level!

EOF -- LC

FT Reno - Day Four

2010-03-23T07:55:00.001-07:00

We're just bustling along with the reno's. Just amazes me how much you can get done when focusing exclusvely on the work. We had our inspection for insulation and Vapour Barrier yesterday. Passed with flying colours, actually the inspector comented that I went a little above and beyond. Guess if you insulate the floor there is no need to use the styro insulation board on the crawlspace walls.. oh well better to over do that than to under-do it and get a fail. Trying to track down a decent drywaller to get the room ready for paint and tile. Almost there - to the point of moving into it. It's going to be a really nice bedroom, so much bigger and brighter.

I installed the Air Conditioner in the sunroom yesterday, just getting it in nice and tight, started to prep the wiring in that room. Then I can insulate and throw on the vapour barrier. I almost finished the barge-board too. Just have one side of the house to do and then it is also out of the way. I have to put in the junction boxes (in the crawl space) for the new wiring to the Sunroom, New Computer Room, New Bathroom, and heating for the living room.

Alison, Margaret and Dianne have been working on the painting of the exterior (Hardie-Plank and Stucco). It's a lot of work with the old Stucco, pretty thristy walls. They have done a fantastic job though. The colour Alison chose is very nice, relaly adds a rich depth to the House.

Today is a bit of a goof-off day, as we worked right through the weekend. I am on the hunt for a truck (Dodge or Ford Diesel, prefer 1 Ton, extended cab, etc..) so there are a few in Nanaimo that I want to look at. With both Margaret and Dianne from out of town, it might be nice to get a one days break from everything anyways...

EOF ------ LC

First Few Days working FT on the House

2010-03-20T21:10:00.001-07:00

We got a huge break in the weather to begin my time off for working on the house. My Mother-in-Law came down from Terrace to help out, My Sister-in-Law came over for the weekend From New Westminster to chip in, and my buddy from Edmonton is arriving tomorrow to help out too. Even though it has only been a couple of days we have got a lot done. Check some of the pictures out here.

It really moves forward so much quicker when you can spend the entire day on it. I would have finished the Hardie-Plank on the Sunroom this evening but ran out of Big Stretch. I think I have two more short planks to install, then the AC can be put in and sealed up. The ladies have been working on Painting, ( Hardie-Plank and trim on the front of the house and MB Expansion), prepping the stucco walls for Paint (I am going to have to mix up some cement to do some patching).

I prepped the MB extension for the inspection Monday, if all goes well then we can get the drywall in...paint, tile.. and get moved in.

Thought I had more to say, but I am bagged... another big day tomorrow.... Oh first full day of Spring tomorrow (It arrived here today at 10:31 AM)

EOF -- LC

Builder Bob is Back in the House!

2010-03-17T12:46:00.001-07:00

Only a few days until I am taking time off work for my other job. I become Reno-Man (Cape is optional)! So I can go gangbusters on getting things moving forward with the Home Reno. Going to be a blast. My Mother-in-law is coming down (arrives today) to help my Wife paint the outside and fences, a very good friend is coming from Edmonton to work with me on the building side of things. I have a lot planned, and it looks like the weather is going to cooperate too. When I took all the time off last year it was really rewarding as to how much we got done and how fast everything went. Since then it has hit a lull after Christmas, so I think this focus on things will re energize and motivate me to get going, plus getting together with family is always good for the soul.

While I am doing this will be able to update the blogs, FB and Flickr with pictures of the events. We start tonight with St Patrick's and some Guinness of course, like a christening of a maiden voyage ;-) . Then some pre-planning of how to proceed and organize who is doing what, I need to book the inspection for the Vapour barrier and Insulation. I was going to hire out the Drywall but may take it on ourselves due to time constraints (unless I can get someone in on a moments notice). Damn I am excited - some say not much of a holiday but considering how much we will benefit from this for years to come it is a great investment of time and coin.

I have been working a lot with Odin, and using ideas from Cesar" The Dog Whisperer" Millan's TV Show, not that Odin is trouble so much as he is just a dog that wants to be boss and I want to rein him in before he starts to believe he is in charge. It's really different for me, having a dog that has Rottweiler in him, I suppose the same with many other more assertive breeds. You have to handle them so much differently. Watching the show I can see where the wheels begin to fall off if your not careful. I am surprised how well Cesar's hints and tips work, and how much behavior troubles are caused by us humans instead of the hounds. They had a Marathon of his shows dedicated to his dog "Daddy" who passed away in February, a beautiful Pitbull who helped re socialize other aggressor breeds.

This past week, Gérémi Adam (FBI claimed he was Canada's biggest Movie Pirate - supposedly) was sentenced to 2 1/2 months plus Community service etc. What a crock, now I am not saying downloading movies is right or wrong, what I am saying is the Government is starting to put Commercial and Corporate interests (and lobbying groups) above the civil rights of the individual. Even bowing to foreign pressure to strip these rights from Canadians. All the while proceeding with further negotiations for ACTA (Talk about a envisioning a communistic police state - this act or at least what little has slipped out to the general public would completely restrict all of us, including artists, and would assume each of us to be a criminal without rights before any proof needs to be presented by the police or Border Services). Michael Geist has much about this on his website here. Some further comments here. I think some radical protests are going to be necessary to stop this from going through or at least from stopping Canada's participation in it.

Keep your eyes open and don't let it slip through.

EOF - LC

Snap! Your life can change that fast..

2010-02-23T08:18:00.001-08:00

Yup you hear about it all the time, and sometimes you get little reminders from time to time about how fragile life is, sometimes you get big ones. How we all have to live the moment to it's fullest, to be thankful for everything and everyone in your life. How no guarantees come with this life, no expectations for any amount of time you have or think you have. Putting off for tomorrow that may never come. Jeeze!!!

Two friends from work, whom I have known for the past nearly 7 years, took advantage of a beautiful day on Saturday, (it felt more like Spring than February), geared up for a ride on their motorcycle. I can imagine how exciting it would have been to look forward to a trip north from Victoria, so many other wintered bikes out of their cocoons, Motorcycle Gear that had been hanging in the closet throughout the winter brought out for an early ride of the year. I really don't have to imagine too much, when the weather turns like this I feel the anticipation of a more pleasant ride than my usual winter rides.

Unfortunately fate, destiny or whatever you call it was rushing at them from the other direction. a mid 20 year old steals a car out of North Vancouver, boards the ferry to Nanaimo it has not been released what he was doing or what kind of record he has but one assumes this is not his first trip down this path, travelling down towards Victoria on the Malahat, decides to take an illegal left turn into a rest stop in doing so my friends future is sealed, travelling at the speed limit or even below it when someone pulls this crap, well it always ends bad for the motorcyclist. Not usually for the Car driver.

Sure enough it was bad, no it was worse than bad...... She had just retired in September, her daughter had just married, she was just starting her life our now that work was over.. He still worked with us here I spoke to him regularly as he was in this building many times for meetings or for work on his laptop. they both were very positive and full of energy and life. Yes I said "were". Sad to think that that's it, finished , kaput, families and friends left in chaos and grief because of the selfish act of one little ***** who, I would not be surprised, probably feels no remorse (other than being sorry for being caught - he left the scene.. left them there to die. Little coward!) I am sure he and his defense lawyer will be working out something to absolve him of any responsibility. To ensure he gets a slap on the wrist instead of the life sentence he should be getting to think things over.

That's it it's over... We are all shell-shocked here at work. At home. I Can only imagine what the immediate families must be going through. Our Thoughts and Prayers to them of course...

Snap! that fast ...

UPDATE: Full Story on Victoria Times Columnist Newspaper Site.

EOF L.C.

February Hawk

2010-02-08T12:39:00.000-08:00

It’s great that we can almost see the end to the winter, this one was very wet and very grey. I will be glad when it is behind us. Come on Spring! Came home from work last week to a surprise in the driveway. Drove in with the Westy, I was very surprised that he did not fly away. I took some pictures, and apologize for the poor quality my little point and shoot produced (although in all fairness it was from the inside of the Van with the front window creating a lot of glare.). This is a Cooper’s Hawk, a good size for the species, unfortunately he was there hunting the little birds attracted by our feeders. We saw another hawk last fall but thankfully they do not come hunting in our yard very often. Very cool to see him though, later when I was in the house I saw him drop over the fence hit the ground and he was away. As he never came back I presume he got what he came for.

Took some time off from the Reno’s over the Christmas and New Year’s, but we have started back into it again. Just finished getting a new Front Fence up, spent the past weekend moving a large pile of soil from the driveway to build a ramp from the new gate down into the front yard. We pruned the Fruit trees, cleaned up the garden (front and back) and loaded it into the truck to take it all to the Green space at Hartland. Alison is taking another load today, nice to have the driveway cleaned up again. Looks like this week in the evenings I will be pulling more wire, getting the space under the breaker panel insulated then vapor-barrier it off. I have to glue the styro-insulation in the crawlspace then arrange the Inspection. After that Drywall, Paint, Tile, then finally install the switches, outlets and Pot-lights. Get the final electrical inspection, then we can move into the room!

My Mother-in-law is coming down late March to help Paint the outside including the Hardie-Plank, as well as stain the fence. I am going to book a couple of weeks to focus on the next portion of the reno and get some headway in moving forward.

Emma, our 11 year old Boston Terrier has been doing very well after a bit of a scare where she stopped eating and lost nearly 1/3 of her body weight. This is year four of her fighting the immune disorder, and she seems to have made it through this years highest threat time fairly well. She is continuing to fight the Cushing's Disease as well and have seen no serious issues with this.

Odin, (Rottweiler – Lab – Sheppard X) who will be 2 this July has been doing fantastic. He typically gets 2 solid walks a day, and many visits to the local dog park. While at the Colwood Creek park, he is off leash and loves running everywhere and greeting everyone. He responds well to commands, I am very impressed how good he is. It was funny when he was a pup you could not get him to walk through puddles, now you can not keep him out of the ponds, lakes and creeks… great to see him have so much fun. It’s what having a dog is all about I think.

Well better get back to it, more soon.

EOL

HTC Touch Pro 2 - Home Reno's - Summer Visits

2009-08-25T09:57:00.000-07:00

The end of summer quickly approaches, you can feel it in the mornings on the ride in. It's so much cooler, the start of the fog in the fields, as well the deer are grazing a little later in the AM. Amazing how quickly this summer has gone! No complaints though as it really has been a very nice one.

The reno's are continuing in Earnest, and taking virtually all my spare time as expected. We finished the Hardie-Plank on the Master Bedroom just last night. Now onto soffit trays and vents, styro insulation in crawl space, electrical upgrade, and prep work for the supports for the deck in Front. In the back our friend came down from Nanaimo to frame-up for the 8 x 18 sunroom. It went very well and now waiting on the glass to arrive.

This summer, as most others, always brings us many of our friends and family to visit us here in Victoria. My good friend came to the coast to celebrate our 30 years of friendship, who else could have put up with me for long? We also had many of A's family from up north and from oversea's! Great to see and meet them all.

Lastly we had an Internal competition where the winner is given a brand new HTC Touch Pro 2 smartphone for a few weeks. Yes you guessed it, I was selected to be one of the participants! It is a fun little device, only had it since Friday. So more on that later this week.

Dedicated to our Boston Terrier Nick (St Nicholas CKC) who passed April 27, 2009

2009-05-05T20:15:00.001-07:00

The Last Will and Testament

of An Extremely Distinguished Dog

Last Will and Testament

I, Silverdene Emblem O'Neill (familiarly known to my family,
friends and acquaintances as Blemie), because the
burden of my years is heavy upon me, and I realize the end of my
life is near, do hereby bury my last will and
testament in the mind of my Master. He will not know it is there
until I am dead. Then, remembering me in his
loneliness, he will suddenly know of this testament, and I ask
him then to inscribe it as a memorial to me.

I have little in the way of material things to leave. Dogs are
wiser than men. They do not set great store upon
things. They do not waste their time hoarding property. They do
not ruin their sleep worrying about objects they
have, and to obtain the objects they have not. There is nothing
of value I have to bequeath except my love and
my faith. These I leave to those who have loved me, to my Master
and Mistress, who I know will mourn me most,
to Freeman who has been so good to me, to Cyn and Roy and Willie
and Naomi and - but if I should list all those
who have loved me it would force my Master to write a book.
Perhaps it is in vain of me to boast when I am so
near death, which returns all beasts and vanities to dust, but I
have always been an extremely lovable dog.

I ask my Master and Mistress to remember me always, but not to
grieve for me too long. In my life I have tried to
be a comfort to them in time of sorrow, and a reason for added
joy in their happiness. It is painful for me to think
that even in death I should cause them pain. Let them remember
that while no dog has ever had a happier life (and
this I owe to their love and care for me), now that I have grown
blind and deaf and lame, and even my sense of
smell fails me so that a rabbit could be right under my nose and
I might not know, my pride has sunk to a sick,
bewildered humiliation. I feel life is taunting me with having
over lingered my welcome. It is time I said good-by,
before I become too sick a burden on myself and on those who love
me.

It will be sorrow to leave them, but not a
sorrow to die. Dogs do not fear death as men do. We accept it as
part of life, not as something alien and terrible
which destroys life. What may come after death, who knows? I
would like to believe with those of my fellow
Dalmatians who are devout Mohammedans, that there is a Paradise
where one is always young and
full-bladdered; here all the day one dillies and dallies with an
amorous multitude of houris, beautifully spotted;
where jack-rabbits that run fast but not too fast (like the
houris) are as the sands of the desert; where each blissful
hour is mealtime; where in long evenings there are a million
fireplaces with logs forever burning and one curls
oneself up and blinks into the flames and nods and dreams,
remembering the old brave days on earth, and the
love of one's Master and Mistress.

I am afraid this is too much for even such a dog as I am to
expect. But peace, at least, is certain. Peace and long
rest for weary old heart and head and limbs, and eternal sleeps
in the earth I have loved so well. Perhaps, after all,
this is best.

One last request I earnestly make. I have heard my Mistress say,
'When Blemie dies we must never have another
dog. I love him so much I could never love another one.' Now I
would ask her, for love of me, to have another. It
would be a poor tribute to my memory never to have a dog again.
What I would like to feel is that, having once
had me in the family, now she cannot live without a dog! I have
never had a narrow jealous spirit. I have always
held that most dogs are good (and one cat, the black one I have
permitted to share the living-room rug during the
evenings, whose affection I have tolerated in a kindly spirit,
and in rare sentimental moods, even reciprocated a
trifle). Some dogs, of course, are better than others.
Dalmatians, naturally, as everyone knows, are best.

So I suggest a Dalmatian as my successor. He can hardly be as
well bred, or as well mannered or as distinguished
and handsome as I was in my prime. My Master and Mistress must
not ask the impossible. But he will do his
best, I am sure, and even his inevitable defects will help by
comparison to keep my memory green. To him I
bequeath my collar and leash and my overcoat and raincoat, made
to order in 1929 at Hermes in Paris. He can
never wear them with the distinction I did, walking around the
Place Vendome, or later along Park Avenue, all
eyes fixed on me in admiration; but again I am sure he will do
his utmost not to appear a mere gauche provincial
dog. Here on the ranch, he may prove himself quite worthy of
comparison, in some respects. He will, I presume,
come closer to jackrabbits than I have been able to in recent
years. And, for all his faults, I hereby wish him the
happiness I know will be his in my old home.

One last word of farewell, Dear Master and Mistress. Whenever you
visit my grave, say to yourselves with regret
but also with happiness in your hearts at the remembrance of my
long happy life with you: 'here lies one who
loved us and whom we loved.' No matter how deep my sleep I shall
hear you, and not all the power of death can
keep my spirit from wagging a grateful tail.

The reputation of Eugene O'Neill as the American Shakespeare was established even before his death in 1953. O'Neill's output was formidable - more than 30 plays, including the posthumously produced classic, Long Day's Journey Into Night. He was a Nobel Prize winner. Reflecting his own tempestuous emotional background - be came from a yeasty but tragic Irish-American family - his plays are rarely engaging.

So his epitaph to his dog is a rarity among O'Neill documents - sentimental, even whimsical, close in spirit to his one major comedy, Ah Wilderness! The dog was acquired at a relatively peaceful period of O'Neill's life. He and his protective third wife, the beautiful actress Carlotta Monterey, looked upon it as their 'child.' O'Neill wrote Blemie's will as a comfort to Carlotta just before the dog died in its old age in December 1940

EOF - LC

Slight bump in our house expansion

2009-04-04T18:09:00.001-07:00

Recent Pics from the House Expansion

Our headway on the expansion of the house went a little sideways over the past few days. On Wednesday while at the beach walking the dogs, our youngest Boston Terrier, Emma, (the one with both Cushings and the immune disorder) collapsed and needed to be carried back to the Van. We had hoped that with her and Odin playing so much that she had just overdone it. Yesterday, we took all three to the local Dog Park, so as not to overtax her. Alison noticed Emma's gums were very pale (a sign that her red blood cell count was again crashing) so called our vet for an emergency visit. As we were right around the corner we had hoped to get in soon. We got ready to head off, I thought one more kick of the soccer ball for Odin. Kicked it up in the air, he ran to intercept it and as it was coming down he jumped for it but came down bad on his right rear leg! Other folks at the Park came to offer assistance, very nice of them all. We got a blanket from the van and carried Odin back to it and rushed him to the vet.

Gotta say we have a fantastic Vet Clinic, Glenview Animal Hospital who as always stepped up to help. Turned out that Odin broke his femur bone, but thankfully a clean break that could be repaired with pins and wire. The prognosis is excellent as he is a young dog. Unfortunately it means somehow keeping him calm and restricting his movement, ha ha yeah right for 6-8 weeks!!

Odin back home recovering

EOF - LC

Master Bedroom outer shell almost done

2009-03-26T07:51:00.001-07:00

Another Quick update:

It has been a busy two weeks, working 7 days a week, with Joe, Vince and Ian on the expansion. It's great to work alongside those who know how things are to be built. I am learning a lot from them. This physical work is a very rewarding though, great to see and make progress with our expansion. We put the trusses on yesterday, and are to begin the sheathing today. I called a few roofing companies for quotes' yesterday, I had hoped to do the roof myself but with the time available we may have to hire someone in instead.

Unfortunately I had a piece of 1/2 plywood come down and guillotine my upper part of the foot, bruised right through to the underside, so I was hobbling around the job site yesterday. Fells much better today, still limping but at least I can put weight on it.

We have our French Doors for the Master Bedroom, they are Low-E and we ordered the same glass for all the windows in the room (5 others - it's going to be a very light room). Now that it is almost shelled up you can really get a feel for how big it is. Ali and I are just starting to figure out the inside decorations, with a lot of help from Ian ,he has done many homes in England and has been a wealth of information and help while here. More about Ian on another post as it is pretty interesting why he is here in the first place.

Well here is the link to the new pictures, as well posting a couple of Joe and Vince working, yes I work too but not when holding the camera. ;-)

EOF -LC

Block wall up, rebar and fill next

2009-03-20T18:22:00.001-07:00

Both crawl spaces, under the Master Bedroom and under the Sunroom were completed, well the Block wall portion is. Rebar goes in this AM, three pylons, then inspection. We expect to pour the concrete for fill this afternoon. Then we can begin the floor joists, tomorrow? Coming along very quickly. My limbs are killing me, a lot of work for this office worker. Talk about out of shape, LOL .

Pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cadwallader/sets/72157615104446228/

Video:
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=Viguy&view=videos

EOF - LC

Day three - Footings in, gravel for crawlspace..

2009-03-18T19:59:00.001-07:00

Pretty rough start today, Little Nick kept us up all night with expected reaction to the heart meds he is on which caused him to be very thirsty and naturally want to go out more often, (every 20 minutes). So of course neither of us got any sleep, this is night 3 for me, more zombie than human today. Might have been for the best as we had another 5.5 Tons of gravel arrive, how many shovels is that? This was after we removed the forms for the footings, they came out great. As we were moving the gravel, Vince and Joe were cutting out the access to the new crawlspace. All in all it went very well today, but I do need some sleep as we have more concrete, (skim coat) coming at 08:00 tomorrow... so here's some more video's, no still pictures this time, will try to get some tomorrow...

Video:
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=Viguy&view=videos

EOF -- LC

Day two....footings and lots more gravel

2009-03-18T07:57:00.001-07:00

Today we (well mostly Joe and Vince) built up the rebar in the forms, formed up the back area both ready to be inspected and then poured. Due to family emergency I missed the inspection but both Joe and Vince looked after it. Our order of concrete arrived by 3PM for the footings we had two wheelbarrow's going to move the concrete. The front area was pretty straightforward, but the back was a mudbog. A real pain to get keep the wheelbarrow tracking correctly. Nonetheless it did get poured. Vince began Setting the vertical Rebar, Joe was finishing and curring rebar. The gopher, yup that was me, was sent for a resupply of rebar. End of day the footings were in place setting up.

Video's
http://www.youtube.com/profile?user=Viguy&view=videos

Pictures
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cadwallader/sets/72157615104446228/

On another note, our eldest Boston Terrier developed congestive Heart disease and needed to be rushed to the animal hospital Monday evening. He spent nearly 18 hours in an oxygen tent, while they fed him drugs to remove the liquid from his lungs, also others to try to reduce his enlarged heart. He came home last night, but is not quite right, also he needs to pee ever 30 minutes.. so naturally we slept very little again last night....The wife also had an issue with an irregular heartbeat, this has been ongoing for a few weeks. She was taken into emergency by her boss yesterday where they tried to get the excess beat range down within some normal numbers...when she went in her BPM were above 160.

EOF - LC

First Day of Building

2009-03-16T18:53:00.001-07:00

The first day of building has arrived, and what a mixed bag of weather we had, everything from light rain, heavy rain, Sunshine, snow and winds. Just count ourselves lucky that it was not heavy rain all day. We got the gravel in the front area, forms for the footings in almost ready for inspection and then pouring tomorrow. Back area will also be ready to go to, just a matter of getting it bombed into tomorrow AM for the inspection in the afternoon. We also had to get another 5.5 tons of gravel in today, spent most of the afternoon moving that around, wonderful to be a grunt. LOL Really though I am very tired for all the work got a little soft sitting around the office I suppose. I did survive the day going to be a bit stiff in the AM tomorrow but also having a lot of fun helping get all of this done. nice to see the progress we have made in one day.

Some Videos:

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=1Ini4RXZB5Q

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=bY6QjNRgDGo

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0wbW4452O2Q

Some Pictures:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/cadwallader/sets/72157615104446228/

Well dinner time... more tomorrow

EOF - LC

Project begins

2009-03-11T19:26:00.001-07:00

Well it begins, and yes it is exciting to start. We have had the Excavator guys in from Atlas Excavating to prep the site before we get the building under way. Sinjur Masonry will be on their way down this Friday and expected to arrive on Sunday. Next Monday we start on the expansion of the House, it's going to be a blast. For those not in the know, it's a little project. Build an expanded room (16 x 16) at the front of the house, this will become the Master Bedroom. Build a room at the back of the house (8 x 18) that will become the Sunroom, and will have many windows. Our existing Master Bedroom once moved will become the new Computer room, (yes going to build a small Server room - - Geek), with two built-in desks etc..... Once the computers are moved into their new area, then the old computer room will become the new Bathroom, larger, corner tub Glass Block shower Poor-man's ensuite from the new master bedroom and accessable from the existing hall. Current Bathroom, will be gutted back wall knocked out and through to the new Master Bedroom, turning it into a walkthru closet...then.... OK OK you get the idea... going to try to keep this updated daily as well as my flickr site with the days events around the Site.

Bob the Builder....;-)

Odin Graduates from Intermediate Level Training

2009-02-24T14:41:00.001-08:00

My Buddy completed his Second level training last night. He really has come a long way, and surprisingly I still have all 10 fingers, for a while there I thought I might lose some....

Here's Eddie

2009-01-17T20:31:00.001-08:00

We started to fill the last little patch real estate I have left on my arm. Went to the Zoo, of course, Colin working his magic again. So without further adoo, here's Eddie. Next sitting comes colour and background.... oh and yes that close to the Armpit does hurt!!

EOF - LC

Help Make Terrace BC Hockeyville 2009!!

2009-01-15T16:30:00.000-08:00

Just announced last night, the 10 choices for CBC and Kraft's Hockeyville 2009 contest. My old Haunting ground and place I absolutely love is one of the contenders.

Terrace, British Columbia

One of the most beautiful places I have lived, and talk about a hockey town. Let's help them get voted number 1 as our choice for this year's Hockeyville.

Vote now!! and vote often!

Terrace's Hockeyville page here...

All geared up and no where to go...

2009-01-11T08:36:00.001-08:00

A quick peek at some farkle my wife bought me for the bike...

Merry Christmas!! Nollaig Chridheil!!

2008-12-26T10:22:00.001-08:00

You better have a Merry one or Odin is coming after you.

More pictures of our Christmas Day can be found here....

I heard the Owl call my name.... need more coffee

2008-12-24T07:05:00.001-08:00

This Barred Owl was on our power line when I opened the door for the dogs this morning. He must be eying up his Christmas Meal (Roast Rodent)...Don't typically see owls in our yard...

--

EOF -- LC

Hard to believe this is not Northern BC

2008-12-23T18:43:00.001-08:00

Driving to Nanaimo today for work, some beautiful scenery with all the white stuff....

More of the pictures here....

EOF - LC

White Christmas ??

2008-12-21T15:18:00.000-08:00

Two of my hounds going to town on a Dino-bone

2008-12-07T11:10:00.000-08:00

Last Ink for 2008

2008-11-30T09:59:00.001-08:00

Well here are the photo's from the last of my Tattooing for this year. Almost there. I have one patch of un-inked skin (under arm - going to be fun!). It has been a long time and lot's of work to complete the Sleeve, My artist is Colin Wiley from Tattoo Zoo, here in Victoria. He really does some fantastic and detailed work. He does not want to rush through and end up with an inferior quality work. I am very pleased with all that has been done and think I have the "Final" tattoo picked, but will need to mod it somewhat. Oh by the way, "Final" is meant only to decribe the completion of the Sleeve, not likely to be my final tattoo ever... ;-)

EOF - LC

Lest we forget

2008-11-11T07:48:00.000-08:00

In Flanders Fields

by John McCrae, May 1915

In Flanders fields the poppies blow
Between the crosses, row on row,
That mark our place; and in the sky
The larks, still bravely singing, fly
Scarce heard amid the guns below.

We are the Dead. Short days ago
We lived, felt dawn, saw sunset glow,
Loved and were loved, and now we lie
In Flanders fields.

Take up our quarrel with the foe:
To you from failing hands we throw
The torch; be yours to hold it high.
If ye break faith with us who die
We shall not sleep,
though poppies grow
In Flanders fields.

September Holidays

2008-09-21T12:04:00.001-07:00

Just mid-way through a few weeks holidays I decided to take. It's been a while since my January time off (when I was in Vegas) and really needed some time to de-stress. My Mother-in-law was down for some surgery so came over to visit us after that procedure. She is from Terrace (Northern BC) and unfortunately they have had a crappy summer up that way. While she was here we had fantastic weather, I was really happy that it was so nice for her. We took her to the Butchart Gardens, something we have been meaning to do for ourselves for the past 5 years, it was a beautiful place, made my rose garden look pretty petty. It's amazing what the Gardeners and staff have done out there. We are looking forward to taking in all 5 seasons, with a membership.

We then loaded the "Caddy-Wagon" up with our gear and headed off to camp for a few days. This was a bit of a nail-biter for me, considering the track record of our Westfallia, (Last October we blew the engine, as well as not one trip where the machine did not break down.) Well the Caddy-wagon performed flawlessly, ran like a top, no issue at all.

This was also our first camping trip without Andre, and was in our thoughts frequently as he had camped with us so many times. It was also our new Pup's first camping trip and his first long drive. Odin was incredible and is going to be a great camping and hiking dog, he also travels well. When it is just us (him and I) in the van he usually is sitting in the passenger chair, but when the chair is taken he then sits/lays on the cover for the Sink behind the Drivers seat. A lot of 1st's.

We took off on Monday and went as far as Parksville where we stayed at Rathtrevor Beach Provincial Park. This was an incredible place, even for those who are not big on camping, as the facilities included flush toilets and free showers... it was also right on the beach with many trails and long walks out to the water when the tide was out. Very reasonably priced at $24 /night. They have big campsites so you have lots of privacy too.

The next day we were heading for Quadra Island off the coast of Campbell River, we had camped at We Wai Kai Campsite near Rebecca Spit Provincial a few years back, unfortunately though they had closed for the season the day before we had arrived. The other two campsites on Quadra were not to my liking, so we decided to head to Cortes Island, where we had heard of Smelt Bay Provincial Campsite. It is a very secluded Island, but something right up my alley. We spent two nights there, and it was well worth the trip up and cost of the ferries (we had thought the ferry to Cortes was free but it turned out to be an additional $30+ dollars... Still worth every penny though).

So my Mother-in-law left this morning, her flight left at 05:30 man what a crazy time to have to be at the Airport, and should be back home in Terrace by the time this gets posted. It was a fantastic time!

Pictures posted on my Flickr site here.

EOF ---- LC

2008 Great Canadian Beer Fest Survivors...

2008-09-07T18:36:00.001-07:00

What makes this the Best Beerfest? Good Friends, Good Brews, a well organized event, and of course the fantastic crowds that show up and come with a positive spirit to enjoy themselves.

Can't wait for the 09 event.

Cheers

EOF ---- LC

Odin - Day 3

2008-08-30T15:47:00.001-07:00

Photos:

I am so impressed with this new hound of ours. Hard to believe how young he is, and yet how quick he picks things up. He comes to me when I call, He has only had a couple of mistakes in the house, he seems to adapt to all the different situations I have had him in, and he is viewing the kennel in our bedroom as his domain and goes to bed himself in it. I just got back from taking him on his second leashed walk this time to the Gorge. He did not pull very much, stayed close to me, when we were done we sat on the grass and had quite a few people and dogs come up to greet him. He seems to be great meeting other dogs or people, no aggression showing, just normally curious of course. The Gorge is a great place as I was able to see how intentive he is, He was tracking both Kayaks and Geese a a very good distance, as well as people and dogs walking towards us. His hearing seems very good too, and he spent much time listening first before turning towards the sound. He settled right into the truck, and found a couple of blankets in the back for him to sleep on, while I ran into the library. No noise out of him he simply watched me close the door then went back to sleep. I came back out and he was still snoozing. I think he is going to be a great traveller.

Our other two seem to be doing a good jub of accepting him, Emma has settled into the notion. Nick is doing well considering he never had to do this before. Think he still wants to make sure he is the boss...

Got a lot of training I want to do with him, and socializing. Going to start taking him to all the "dog parks" I think it could only do him good to meet othr dogs, and people. As with all of our dogs I want him to be good with people, kids (not that they are not people but just some important differences on top of the height) and with other animals. So since this is a long weekend I am able to spend it getting him aclimatized to our house. Then later this month I am on holidays and will be able to spend a ot more time working with him.

EOF --- LC

Hello world - welcome Odin

2008-08-28T20:47:00.000-07:00

Our new Pup, Odin has joined the pack. All the pictures here.

I have been looking for a Lab pup, feeling a bit out of sorts since losing the big guy nearly three months ago. It has been really hard to find any pups, a good thing I think, maybe all the work the SPCA and Vets have been doing is working in reducing the numbers of unwanted or mass bred for profit dogs. I hope so. In visiting the shelters though heard some really terrible stories of how our species have treated some of these guys...

Today though I was in the Victoria SPCA, they had just rescued 5 puppies, three female (all golden lab looking ) and their two brothers, (check the picture out). Well this guy picked me, he basically forced his way to the front of the crowd while I was sitting in the cage, then parked himself right in front of my, facing the others seeming to say "keep back he's mine" :-)

I brought Odin home, and our two Boston's were less than impressed, "what he's staying?" lol but they have all settled in now. Guess the training begins... just cleaning out the Kennel for our room. Figure we start right this time and kennel train him. Going to be great (yes and hard I know) having a puppy, but as we are heading into a long weekend then soon to take some time off work I figure it is the best time to take on a new dog when I have so much time to focus on him.

EOF --- LC

Saw this little beauty at Nanaimo Airport think it's a Nanchang CJ-6 (knock off of the Yak-18)

2008-08-07T20:50:00.000-07:00

Sweet!!

Call to Irons Tattoo

2008-08-05T18:51:00.001-07:00

Main Character Done - Background later this year

Happy 150th Birthday British Columbia!!

2008-08-04T08:48:00.001-07:00

You don't look a day over a hundred Dear! This Monday is our Province's Birthday, the 150th. Our Latin Motto says it all "Splendor sine occasu" (Splendour without Sunset (Diminishment)). The current TV campaign lead line is "The Best Place on Earth" and while I do not believe in the politicalization that the commercials are used for, that lead line is very true. We have it all here, some quick facts from the BC Gov factoid page,

Spirit Bear - Provincial Mammal The Spirit Bear (also known as the Kermode Bear) was added to the list of B.C.'s official symbols in April 2006

Western Red Cedar - Provincial Tree The western red cedar (Thuja plicata Donn) was adopted as the official tree of the province on February 18, 1988

British Columbia is Canada's third-largest generator of hydro electricity, providing some of the lowest power costs in North America. The province is also Canada's second-largest natural gas producer, and the oil and gas industry continues to see tremendous growth, particularly in north-eastern B.C.

B.C.'s total land and freshwater area is 95 million hectares, larger than France and Germany combined. Only 30 countries are larger. British Columbia occupies about 10 per cent of Canada's land surface.

Why is the Monday closes to August 1 known as BC Day...
From the B.C. Debates, 4th Session, 30th Parliament, May 1, 1974, the Hon. Hall states, "August 1, or the closest working day to it, is a statutory holiday in every other province in Canada. By coincidence, an Act to provide to the Government of British Columbia, which changed us from the Colony of British Columbia, was passed by Parliament in the United Kingdom on August 2, 1858.

We have many varied climactic zones, from rain forest, to Alpine to Desert, from the very cold temperatures of the Northern Areas like Stewart and Dease Lake in the winters, to the very warm summers in the Okanagan (Osoyoos raching record highs as well as Lytton in the Canyon being known for thier high temeratures in the summer), typically warm and wet winters on the southern-coast areas like Vancouver, and here in Victoria, Our summers though are usually very nice (with avg temperatures ranging between low to high 20's C).

We should be thankful for living in such a great place, in a wonderful country, yup we have issues we need to work on, but one only needs to turn on the evening news to see how others have to live, to be grateful for being a citizen here in British Columbia. I can't not mention my Favourite place in the Province, while there are so many other beautiful areas to live in each with their own Natural beauty, for me Terrace is still the best (with access to everything outdoors that you could ever want, rivers, Lakes, Ocean, HIking , camping , fishing, an incredible place for sure.)

EOF - LC

Judas Priest - Testament Concert last night

2008-07-24T20:01:00.001-07:00

It was one hell of a show last night, my first in SOF Memorial Centre (That's Save on Foods, not Soldier of Fortune) here in Victoria. The stadium at first glance is a bit small, compared to some of the places I have been, but then considering the local population the size is understandable, but there does not seem to be a bad seat in the place (remind me to tell you about the New Stadium in Warsaw. Poland!). The turn-out for Testament was pretty small, maybe about a quarter of those who showed up for Halford and Priest. Testament was raw and intense, only sad thing was they seemed to have an issue with Chuck Billy's Mic as a lot of his vocals were muted or distorted. Skolnick and Peterson's guitar's were blazing, and powerful, really got he crowd pulled into the rhythm. Think they only played for about 45 minutes but was great for getting everyone's blood racing for the main act.

Then the stage was set up for Judas Priest with two pillars and the drums on the centre 1/4 pillar. Halford Appeared on the Left hand upper pillar, geared out as Nostradamus himself, creeping green laser lights searched him out as they started the show off with Dawn of Creation/Prophecy from the new Album (if you have not heard it or bought it, ya gotta, Wicked Priest reminiscent of the 90's power hits). They played a couple of other songs off the new album, will not share the spoilers, but was great to see so many of the classics thrown in. Think it was about 23 songs total... He did not talk much to the crowd, not his style, but got everyone stoked. I awoke this morning still mumbling the words to some of my favorites. It was a great show, so glad I went. Many cool metal heads all there for the same reason, to enjoy some Kick @ss Metal, get all that frustration out of their systems, and gather the clan. Hope to see many other Metal acts come to town, heck of a lot easier than me heading to the mainland for them. Although I see Amon Amarth (some of the best Viking Metal around today) is coming to the Croatian Cultural Centre in East Van in October... hmmmm.....All I can say is I am hungry for the next one!! http://www.scraperecords.com/tickets.php

The Bears are coming to Seattle to play the Seahawks in August. Being a big Bears fan (for a long time through tough times and sweet times) and never seeing a NFL game live, I am considering nipping down for the game. Well me and my Bears Jersey, hope they don't turn me back at the border. Was thinking of riding the KLR on the Ferry from Sidney to Washington State. Gotta check with a buddy on the Mainland see if he is into meeting me down there for a football weekend, ya know, Football, Beer, Food.. all good. Just be next best thing to being at Soldier's Field watching them, (some day :-) ).

Off the Rock (not off my rock) this weekend helping some family to move, and an opportunity to get together with some friends. Looks like a cool weekend not a hot one, should be ok for moving. Damn ferries going up again too, we get no break over here part of the the highway system we subsidize but pay over and over again for, I digress... sorry. It is great to be able to help out the family though, many times they are there for me and if I was somewhere else maybe not so easy to chip in. Always nice to give back to those who have given you so much too. Hey plus it is more time on two-wheels.. any time on the KLR is good, even the winter when its wet and cold... BAAAAAA TWO WHEELS GOOD - FOUR WHEELS BAAAAAAAD! Apologies to Mr Orwell.

Speaking of the KLR, been focusing a lot on some farkles including Wiring Improvements, Switched Fuse block, two Lighter Plugs, toggle switch for H-Vest plug, Thermobob, SS lines, 340MM Front Disk, GPS RAM Mount, etc.. plus have SS Skid Plate, Aggressive Foot Pegs, non-tamper Oil Plug on it's way. I think I should start building a separate page for the KLR, start celebrating it. ;-)

Coming up on nearly two months without Andre, still missing him and hoping he will be there then the reality sinks in. Much more retrospective though, as time goes on, just remembering little things in our time together, things I have not thought of for a long time, and looking at them with much more happiness than I could have imagined a few weeks ago. It was really a great 12+ years together, with so many positive memories. Going to get a Thomas Lipton (on the advice of my Mother In Law) rose and build a little memorial garden out front for myself, and spread some of his ashes there. Maybe some brick work as well since I still have some surplus from the Wood Stove install. Should be nice. Somewhere to hang out with his spirit.

EOF - LC

Andre has passed on....

2008-06-10T05:47:00.001-07:00

My Dog, best friend, constant companion, source of constant happiness, cheerful greeter, shadow, fellow hiker and camper.

Andre was born in September 1995, and came into our lives in December of that same year. Both the wife (girlfriend at that time) and I were not able to sleep for the first three days he was in our lives. We think looking back he was a lot younger than he was advertised as, he was really out of sorts with us, crying, and upset, sick and missing his mother. We tried many supposed cures, ticking clock, medicinal cures to get him to sleep, finally we ended up taking travel tabs ourselves, in shifts just to get some rest. His name came from the movie at the time called "Andre" about a seal and the girl and Family who adopts him, as our Andre was Black head to tail except the tip of his tail was white, the name stuck. From Andre the seal to Andre the Gentle Giant. As he grew and adapted to us, he went through his puppy stage, I remember one time, where I came to the girlfriend's house, and Andre had gotten into the potting soil on the deck, he had brought it into the house and shaken it every where inside the living room. Guess he wanted to bring the outside in? ;-) . I took the G.F. for a few drinks before I let her see what he had done. He got into a lot of trouble as a pup, I think most of them with any character and spirit do. As he grew he became my shadow, and companion. We used to go for 8 - 10 hour hikes together, he loved roaming the wilderness as much as I did, always wanting to see what was over the next hill, never tiring. This was the way it was to be for his entire life, as we moved around from the Lower Mainland to Nanaimo, then to Terrace (where I found out how mush he disliked bears - our first few days there we had a black bear come into the backyard and before I could stop him, Andre was on the chase. Right down the bank, he was gone for half an hour or so, thought he was gone for good, but he returned soaking wet (must have gotten down to the creek in the ravine), Then moving to Coquitlam and to our present location here in Victoria. We spent much time in Terrace hiking alone, and camping. The night of a planetary alignment in the Sky, him and I (and the others) were camping on Kalum Lake opposite Ackerman's point, another time after we had moved back to Coquitlam he and I had headed out to a campsite south of Hope near the Skadgit River to catch the Pernod meteor Shower, it was so cold his water froze in the dish in a very short period, the shower did not start until 3AM, when I got up in the camper to go out and watch the show, he refused to get up out of his nice warm bed, smart guy as I was frozen in a few minutes...Only touching on a few of the many Special memories I will always have of him.

Unfortunately his quality of life diminished over the past year with his year's of constant use of Prednesone (required to prevent the swelling in the scar tissue of his lungs (scars from a parasite that damaged them in 97 or 98), finally breaking down and causing near-crippling arthritis, our last camping trip together a few weeks ago to Lake Cowichan proved to me that it was time. He could not even explore the campsite, walk to the water (a mere 30 feet away), and when we decided to walk the campground we needed to tie him up and leave him behind for our short walk, he was quite upset but did not understand that he would just not be able to make the walk with us anymore. He was euthanized last night at 16:40 and passed at 17:00.

Will miss you buddy!!! Already do, as you would normally be sitting here beside me as I type.

Andre (1995 - 2008) Rest now my Friend.

EOF - LC

Hoover Dam Statue

2008-02-02T14:23:00.000-08:00

Last few hours in Vegas

2008-01-27T13:05:00.001-08:00

Sitting here in the Las Vegas Airport. A wierd day as the low hanging
clouds are blocking off many of the tops of the casinos as well as
causing a few flight delays. Vegas looks very different when it's grey
and wet. So glad that this is the end of the trip, weather wise I
mean we have had some great weather and. a great time. I never got the
time to go shoot but did make it out to the King of Cars dealership
and also to the Henderson Harley Davidson dealership. It has been a
wonderful holiday but back to reality tomorrow or tonight for the
wife. Be glad to get home as it always is. Just heard our flight is
delayed by 2.5 hours. YIPES

--
--
Cheers,
Logan C

Nellis Air Force Base

2008-01-24T17:13:00.001-08:00

Just a quick update on this afternoon's activities. We picked up the
rental van a little afternoon and cruised up the I-15 to the base.
Damn their highways here are huge, multi lane, quick-moving and great
to drive, wish I had the FJ1200! Arrived at the AFB and they are
flying the 23's dfamn fine planes wish I had the camera ready. I did
however get some great shots of F16, F18, C17 and even some aggresor
squadron painted fighters. I also caught a. glimpse of the AWACS
coming in to land. What a blast it was!!!!
Heading to freemont tonight then out of town tomorrow AM. Will try to
update from Laughlin.

EOF - LC

--
--
Cheers,
Logan C

Mid-week in SinCity

2008-01-24T10:16:00.001-08:00

Continuing to have a great time in Vegas. Went to Ellis Island, a
little known off-strip Casino with on-site brewery. The restaurant
(Yes it is really called "Restaurant") with it's off menu 10 oz steak
special and fantastic beer is worth the walk down from Bally's. The
steak was perfect hoping to head there again tonight. "A" beat the
house and left EI 165 bucks richer in blackjack. I was playing the
nickle slots and came away 38 bucks up. The waitress was by every 10 -
15 minutes and I was enjoying that. Just heading back to the concrete
show (on the bus now) to track down the folks, then off to the Airport
to pick up a mini van for the trip to Hoover Dam and Laughlin
tomorrow. Hoping to head out to Nellis AFB today and maybe to the Gun
Store to get my Full-Auto fix. :-)

EOF - LC

--
--
Cheers,
Logan C

Living it up in Las Vegas

2008-01-22T08:08:00.001-08:00

Arrived here on Sunday afternoon, it's great to see blue skies and
sun. There is even heat off the sun in January. The nights here dip
down from 2 to -2 but as the time you are outside you are always
moving it is not too bad. We spent yesterday going out to East Las
Vegas and then on to Henderson. Henderson appears to be the land of
Malls and big box stores. Vegas is a very cool place and each year we
are here I like to venture more and more off the strip. The folks we
have met here, the locals on the buses or at the different off-strip
stores, are very friendly and welcomingn part of the charm of Vegas.
I am heading to the World of Concrete convention this morning with the
gang. This will be our fourth one (For A and I ) it is always worth a
look to see what is going on in the industry, and with my
Father-in-law being in the business for so long he is able to expain
the changes and technology to me.
Things on the list to do yet...
Rent some military hardware (Two different gun shops 1 we did last
year the other you can rent a M209 grenade launcher)
Rent a car and drive out to Laughlin, Hoover Dam, King of Cars
dealership and maybe Nellis AFB.
Check out the Atomic Testing Museum
Check out the Bodies exhibit
Oh so much to see......

EOF - LC

--
--
Cheers,
Logan C

Yup, it's official Winter's here.

2007-11-15T18:17:00.001-08:00

This one week early turning the clocks back kinda frazzles most of us. Pretty brutal for the first little while until you numb up to it. Riding into work in the dark in the AM, the early evening darkness that suddenly appears trying to convince you that it is much later than it actually is. Then tag on the rain, GAAK! Ah well just waiting on the nicer days that I am sure will be here as well.

Well this week they released the Taser attack that took place at YVR and resulted in a Man's death (yet another). The 10 plus minute video, which was very clear showed what I can only describe as a perfect example of what is wrong with our National Police Force (RCMP) and with so many other complaints against them recently there is now a clear video of what might be occurring.

Man cleared customs 6 hours previously yet was left unattended for that period in a secure area.
After the event the RCMP announced that 3 officers were involved in this attack, yet the video clearly shows four uniformed officers
Watch the approach of the officers to the man as he stands in the doorway, at this point there is no threat to anyone. The officers are clearly heard to be told "he does not speak English..." A tense situation like this, the officers walk quick-paced towards the door, aggressively vault over the low barrier, en mass. There is no threat to anyone at this time, would it not have been part of their training to slowly approach, perhaps 1 officer only? or even better talk across the room to the Man trying to both calm him and ascertain the situation.
Why were the officers, speaking of using Tasers before even understanding the situation?
Initially the officers surround the man, point to the counter and tell him to get against it, The man raises his hands (just below his shoulders) and follows directions to back against the counter, then the officers taser him. What was the reason for the attack by the officers.
What happened to the Professionally trained RCMP officers? Ones who went into these situations with the thought of resolving a situation using both their intelligence and training to defuse the situation, not to go in and bully an obviously troubled and distraught person. What happened to the creed, Protect and Serve. Who were they protecting (The man was a threat to no one at this time as he was in a secure room with 4 Police officers?) Who were they serving, neither the public nor the man were served, seemed more like they wanted it done and over with so they could get back to ... hmm what is it they do at the Airport if not to serve the public?
What happened to the Pepper spray they carry, if they felt so threatened by this unarmed individual? The RCMP said after the fact (before the video was retrieved) that they could not use pepper spray due to the amount of citizens around the situation who may have been inadvertently sprayed, there were no members of the public in the sealed off room the event occured in.

I think it is long overdue that the investigation of these events need to be done by an independent body, as past investigations have been the Police investigating themselves. I do feel that if this was to occur much could be learned and then applied to repair short-comings in training or guidelines of when weapons could be used. It seems that the Police have lost the ability, (or will) to control situations they are in, guess it is just easier to pull the 'Zar.

A sad situation for his Mum who also just emigrated to Canada.

Just wrapped 3000 Km's on the KLR, took it back up to Jordan Meadows last weekend. From Shawnigan Lake we then drove the Main Forestry road to Port Renfrew. It was a great ride, very wet though and a lot of fun. There are a ton of off-shoots up there that should keep me busy exploring for a long time to come. As I was riding , with a sheer drop-off into a deep Valley on one side, I really came to understand exactly how much enjoyment I could get out of this Dual sport Bike, doing what I already love to do, explore the backwoods. Time to do the front brakes on the Bike and I am upgrading the front rotor to the oversized 320 MM unit, then installing replacement Braided Steel Hoses, EZBleeders (front and rear). It should seriously improve the front braking abilities of the KLR.

Picked up Call of Duty 4 and Enemy Territory:Quake Wars. COD4 (Charlie Oscar Delta 4) is incredible!! If you liked any of the previous releases, this is another one to add to the set, if you have not picked this one up then go out and check it out and I am sure you will rush back and get the previous ones... Quake wars on the other hand reminded my of the previous BattleField type releases... it's alright but save your coins kiddies, wait for the price drops on it. Unreal Tournament III comes out on the 19th and promises to live up to the Unreal namesakes. Damn you gotta love this time of Year.. when all the new shooters come out. Oh yeah still hooked on Rainbow 6:Vegas and Medal of Honor: Airborne.

So I am continuing to "Bach" it, still another 3 plus weeks to go... just really glad I have the dogs here as well as the ongoing things that need to be done.

Hey Happy Thanksgiving to my American Buddies, this week. Damn how many more shopping days till Christmas? ;-)

EOF - LC

Fast Approaching Winter

2007-10-27T20:28:00.000-07:00

I purchased a new ride last month, a 2003 Kawasaki KLR650. Got a great deal on it (I felt) and it is a real change from my usual type of ride. I love my FJ, the available performance (never did find out the top end, great to have a ride that controlled the Speed freak in me. I was amazed at how fast I did go - obvious not commenting on that here.) the look and just the whole attitude. I have posted it on a few sites for sale. The KLR has got so many good points going for it though, more economic to operate, tons of aftermarket parts (things like the Corbin seat I have received), the ability to tour on-road or off. It is light enough that I will be able put it on a trailer hitch tray to bring it with us when we head out camping or touring. I took it out to the Jordan Meadows west of Shawnigan to bang up off-road for a while. What a blast! In a little over a month I have racked up over 2000 Kms, not bad for such a bad weather month. I think I am going to be very pleased with this bike and where it will take me.

We got our Volkswagen Westy back (I also refer to it as the four wheeled money pit) after it failed us, yet again, on our way to our long awaited camping trip. Made it as far as Nanaimo before we had to pull into the local VW dealer. Long story short... Blew the engine, damaged coolant system = Lots of $$$$$. It had a 1.9 liter engine which is no longer available so it had to be fitted with a 2.1 Liter. Seemed to be running good, although have not had a lot of time to test it, (please see previous paragraph) so took it today and the Damn thing failed me yet again, thought it might be either alternator (I replaced this beginning of September) or Battery going flat. Alternator tested ok, Multimeter on the battery looked right. Next step Starter...unreal. Buying a new van one piece at a time. LOL

Some brilliant games out now, the obvious Halo 3. Picked up Medal of Honor: Airborne and Rainbow 6:Vegas. Hugely addictive. Over the next few weeks Call of Duty 4 and Unreal Tournament 3 are coming out. Love this time of year.

I was given a Cisco 2950-12 Switch, Have been spending a lot of time working with both telnet and web-interface for the switch. Been interesting to work at configuring it then monitoring or attempting to circumvent it. Or to launch an attack and then monitor the network for signs or pointers, or to configure the alarms to detect the attacks. Way too much fun.

EOF - LC

Exploring the South Island

2007-07-29T19:17:00.001-07:00

I went out looking for a decent camping spot, somewhere off the beaten path (as usual for me) somewhere Old Andre and myself can just kick and relax like we used to at Kalum. Me with a few brews in hand and him just happy to be off leash and exploring. Yesterday I went out to a site that was near East Sooke Regional park and was not surprised to find it was not suitable for what I wanted but it paid off in another respect and allowed me to try out the new lens I bought for the Canon Xti. I bought a Canon EF-s 10-22mm Ultrawide Zoom, after much reading it seems to be one of the best for a wide-angle Lens. Posted them here.

It was a really nice park , previously I had hiked in from Pike road to cabin Point but this was the first time I came from this direction. Some great family beaches, something to keep in mind for the next time we have visitors. Something about being here for four years still so much to get out and discover. Always very cool to find these spots and then to be able to share them.

Today I went on the hunt, west of Lake Shawnigan along the Old Port Renfrew forestry road then further down West Jordan Main. Some incredible spots, very similar to other forestry road I have traveled throughout the Province. A little different doing it in the Westy instead of the 3/4ton Ford, had to be a little more gentle... LOL. None of these spots are great places to break down if you know what I mean although at least the risk of crossing path with Mr Griz does not exist still be a long walk out. I was able to update the BC Off-roads map book with some details, what really surprised me though was the amount of Trespassing Warning Signs stating certain roads were restricted access only, as these all were on on Crown Lands I was a little confused as to how Land that belongs to everyone in BC could be restricted. I will go to the Forestry and Ministry of Parks and lands to verify access to these spots, besides I would like to pick their brains about possible secluded spots or rec sites, (not that it really stopped me from driving on). No pictures this time as most of the time was just spent driving.

If you take digital pictures, and you want to share them securely with family and friends without the hassle of them signing up to the various photo sites, try out PicMe not only is it straightforward to configure and index you can also choose which online resource can be shared with, but the best is how it lays out all of your sets on the desk, very intuitive, very visual makes you wish for a giant LCD display (64 OR BIGGER). It has several levels from the free version which would work for most folks to the higher storage and performance of the paid version.

EOF - LC

Finally.....

2007-06-17T09:33:00.001-07:00

Well nearly 6 month after the trip, and dealing with a catastrophic Hard Drive failure I was able to restore the majority of my pictures to my new drive. That was a nail biter.... I have posted some of them up to my flickr site here. For those of you who have been asking , thanks for your patience and enjoy.

Speaking of pictures if you cruise through my Set`s you will also see some of the Spare room transformation from 1970`s (Ugh!!!) textured white, sort of , walls to the bright colours that we choose to paint with. The tiling really came through in this room with those colours. We are looking forward to get the rest of the walls in the house finished in the fall (unless our weather keeps going like it has, has not been really conducive to working outdoors.), focusing on outside stuff right now. As we have discussed expanding our house by building off the front of the house on the present computer room and changing it into a very large and light Master Bedroom. Also building off the back of the house off the current Master Bedroom, changing it to a Sunroom and computer room. Figure this could ad about 400 square feet to our present small house, which would be welcome. Would need to be a mix of Professional contractor work due to both insurance and inspections, plus work that we could do ourselves.

Anyways enjoy the pictures....

EOF - LC

Sun is back, things are good

2007-05-31T18:17:00.001-07:00

Pleased to announce our youngest dog pulled through a very tough time, (for her and us) believed to be caused by an unknown immune disorder. We spent a lot of time worrying over her, worrying over the very serious drugs that we needed to give her, but so happy that she was able to fight her way out. She is about 95%, and due to the prednosone has gained a substantial and unhealthy weight. We have swapped all three dogs food over to a low calorie diet boosted with Glucosamine, (great for our Oldest Andre with the joint issues he has). It's been rough on them being hungry all the time, then we are also limited on walk time, A is done to less than 20 minutes and but as he enjoys being around me so much I thought better to pop him in our Westy and drive him to the beach, which he loves. E due to both her weight and body recovering is also limited but we have her up to 30+ minutes, then of course there is "Bighead" he walks but the heat gets to him...and then he just lays down and thats it... so the diet is the only way to go.

It was determined that our oldest A had a cancerous tumor, which thankfully turned out to be benign. Of he has some joint issues and is getting on, but at 5 am everyday when I get up he is right there beside me and still has his "puppy" moments. So all in all great news for the hounds and for us!

Our spare room came together nicely, just in time for a visit from our Friend from Prince, MoB was here for a week and it was fantastic (as always) to visit with her. Does not seem to matter what mood I am in she can always get me to laugh... a great gift to be able to get others to smile and laugh. Anyways the visit went well and I will get some pictures up of both the visit and the toned down room.

Well The Soprano's is down to 2 episodes left, withdrawal symptoms have already started, you know reaching for your dvd copies of Good Fellas, the Godfather series, Casino etc..ah forget'bout it. ;-) I have enjoyed all the characters including the ones you hate, the twists and turns, wondering who would get bumped in this episode. Wish Big Pussy had stuck around for a few seasons further than he did. Not sure what the next TV show is for me, still have a few others that I have to sit down and catch up on, Battlestar Galactica brilliant but requires an investment almost as much of one as 24...House MD, Sleeper Cell, and of course my old favorite Law and Order... is there and hour of the day a rerun is not on? Still going to miss the 'Bing

Down to less than 3 boxes of tile left, no more tiling until we decide on the expansion. So now down to the next projects. We have bought a littler Nissan pu for doing these tasks. An older one but in really good shape. It will be nice to have access to a a vehicle that we can use for transporting of everything we need, really missed my truck. We planted two Plum trees, yeah got our own little orchid, no acreage but got the fruit trees.. so nice to see our plants and things come in after such a long and awful winter.

We replaced our smaller camera (Sureshot 110 ) with a new Canon PowerShot a560 , a long story on the why but it was a great upgrade. This new one's zoom in shots are much clearer than the old one. Speaking of camera's learning lot's about our Rebel XTi and about Photoshop CS2. I bought a new pack for the camera, a Lowe Slingshot 200, just an awesome carrier, you can have your camera in hand in seconds from your back. It has lots of adjustable pockets for all the lens and filters as well as holding then Gorillapod. It's good to go! I think I would like to take a trip up to Mt Washington or even Port Hardy for a "photoshoot".

OK a quick update...:-)

EOF - LC

Bugatti Veyron - WOW!!

2007-02-20T17:01:00.000-08:00

Bugatti Veyron at top speed
Uploaded by Flabber

Rough week or so...

2007-02-13T04:20:00.000-08:00

Been a hard last little while, between vehicle maintenance issues with our Westy in for some major repairs (all little things but a whole page of them), my motorcycle required new tires then found that the front forks were bleeding a little, so had them rebuild and reseal the forks. Unfortunately the only the upper bushings were available from the dealer (no I am not crazy the work is being done by Victoria Motorcycle Salvage on David Street, but the parts were only available via the dealer) but the lower bushings were not available from them. Yahoo's FJ1200 Club to the rescue! A company called Race-tech manufacturers after market suspension for my 86 FJ1200. They are also reasonably priced. So basically as far as the vehicles are going, we are down to the Tercel, and of course A's Honda Rebel, but with no insurance.

Then this past Friday things got a bit worse and more serious, as our youngest dog collapsed. I had just come home on Friday evening, and found her dazed, barely standing but not moving, she was staring straight ahead at the wall, then fell over. She stayed that way for a few minutes in a daze. Later that evening she seemed fine, but of course I kept a close eye on her. The next morning when I returned from a quick chore outside, she could not raise herself from the couch, and was in that "1000 Yard Stare" again. So I decided to take her to the Vet. After the exam the Blood work was run, this showed a very high escalation of White blood cells as well as a slight drop in Red Cells, the obvious assumption was an infection as the physical exam showed nothing out of place. A prescription of the Antibiotics and Steroids was recommended, as well as a close monitoring over the weekend. She seemed quite fine over both days with the exception of sleeping lots, I put this down to both the escalating fight her body was going through as well as the meds. Monday morning blood work was not positive though. It showed a startling climb in her White cells to nearly three time what they should be, again the Red cells had fallen substantially. Blood sugar levels had also shown a significant rise above the normal, as well as high levels of sugar in her urine. We had proceeded with Abdominal and chest cavity X-rays. A large mass was seen near the now enlarged spleen, but could not be identified as its proximity to the spleen made it hard, and the mass has pushed many of the organs away. So this Thursday we have a Ultrasound booked to try to ascertain our next steps to get her back to health, as well as an additional blood work this AM to keep an eye on things. As you can imagine we are both feeling quite upset and just hoping that we can get her all fixed up and back to full health.

Back up, Back up, back up! No I am not practicing to be a sign-person, or driving instructor. I am speaking about a catastrophic Hard Disk failure that took out a 200 GB Maxtor Drive, which unfortunately had the partition with all my documents as well as over 5 years worth of my Digital Pictures. Those of you asking when I was going to post my Vegas Pictures, may now see why the delay. Thankfully I had a back up of all pictures pre-Canon XTi, as well as all the ones since the XTi on separate discs. You can imagine the panic though, questioning whether I had backed it up or "just meant to"! Pretty much tore my Computer room apart in the search to find the safely stored DVD's or one of the copies. I had tried every trick known to me in order to resurrect the Drive, using everything from the freezer to all my utilities. OK don't laugh but when the drive is plugged in in makes a ringing sound like an old cell phone, then it almost sounds like a dial tone until it clicks off.. yes I found it on the web so it's not just me losing my mind. I have order a replacement Board for the drive, as this may bring it back so I can get any other data off of it, (although the pictures were the big thing,). I have ordered a replacement drive for this unit as it is out of warranty (figures). Do we have time to go into my Hauppage PVR, which at this moment should have arrived in Hauppage, NY for repair/replacement. It's OK, get all of these little negatives out of the way this month, then the rest of the year will be positive :-)

OK on a more positive note, when in Vegas I saw these little replica of the "Welcome to Fabulous Las Vegas, Nevada" signs. Well I thought I have to get one of those for my computer desk. They have the chase lights running around the sign as well as the multi-colored flashing star. The issue was getting it back via airline luggage from Vegas to San Francisco then to Vancouver and finally Victoria (I figured it would be in many pieces by then). While in Vegas I went on eBay and sure enough they had them listed there. Well it arrived yesterday and it looks very cool, almost like being there ;-) Now just waiting for "The Deuce" "Ride the Deuce, Have fun!"
Wish I was back there now.

EOF - LC

Onward (or there is always next year)

2007-02-06T05:37:00.000-08:00

Well a disappointing finish to an exciting Superbowl. I can not understand why they would not have pulled Grossman, anything thrown over 10 yards was picked off by the Colts defense. The Bears offense was non-existent as the running game on every play gets a little predictable. The Bears Defense though was fantastic but tired in the end, not a real surprise since they were on the field a lot more than they, or any other defense should be. Ah well, they made it to the Bowl and even though they did not walk away with the shiny rings, they still did pretty awesome. Look forward to next season.

Still working on the editing and ordering of the Photo's from our Las Vegas trip. I have had a few ask me about them, their coming honest. I have a bunch printed off, as well as starting to go through them to choose some of the best without turning it into a Borefest, you know like the old slide shows of the guy who travels to some backwater place and then forces his friends to watch slide after slide....

Check this out...

Visited Tattoo Zoo here in Victoria after work yesterday, had the Artist Colin Wiley do this tribute to one of my favourite dark games. It was a weird one to get though, the back of the neck with all the nerves, it was not exactly pain I felt. At times when a nerve was hit my left temple developed a sharp pain, as soon as the needle moved from the spot on my neck the pain stopped. The upper portions when done would send a chill through me causing goosebumps, very different. :-)

Had quite the start to the day yesterday though, first lost my collection on my iPOD, (this is the second time as it also occurred on the Flight down to San Francisco) I was able to recover although it concerned me that the unit was making a little noise. I will need to get a call into them I suppose. Then go to start the company van, and it also makes weird noises and refuses to start, ended up having to get a tow in. For a day that I intended to start early I really ended up behind. So waiting to hear back from the Dodge dealer for an ETA.

EOF - LC

Go Bears Go!! SuperBowl XLI

2007-02-04T13:47:00.000-08:00

Living the High Life in Las Vegas.

2007-01-27T01:11:00.001-08:00

Well it's been a terrific time so far. Landed in Vegas at 13:20 on Sunday and since then it has been go go go, in a very good way. The weather here has been terrific, we even broke the record for January 24 at 64 Degrees. We were out there at the concrete show watch the guys building a brick wall in competition. I thought it was going to be a hard thing to watch, but it was really enjoyable hard to believe how hard those guys worked.

The show itself was very interesting as well, I spent a lot of my time wandering, exploring on my own. I also was invited to attend a seminar on the overall view of the past and present " World Of Concrete show". It was a great event to be able to attend as many of the participants had vast experience in the industry. They were very forthcoming about their Industry experiences as well as the the trade show, I really learned much during this very short even, and had wished that I could have spent much more time with this group and been able to enquire further about their thoughts on how the industry has changed and where it would be going with the deep introduction of Technology in their day to day operations.

We also took the time to check out several of the venues that I had found on the net or had been advised by others to check out while here. Ellis Island is a MUST for anyone who enjoys fantastic food, brilliant beer, and most likely some of the friendliest folks running an establishment in the area. The food is of the highest quality yet the menu prices seem to have been stuck in the early 80's. The "off menu" streak special does actually exist and is hard to beat at $4.95, the Prime Rib Steak at $9 is unbelievable, and not only is it done to perfection but even comes with a beer. BTW - buy your glass of beer at the bar for $1 as it is $2 in the restaurant (although it is worth far more in the glut of Miller and Budweiser bars. ;-) ). The breakfast's and lunch's really can not be beat, Huge portions, reasonable prices, it is no wonder that it is such a local haunt. As I will be back in August I am hoping to get a package that includes this one.

A buddy of mine recommended checking out the Las Vegas Distribution mall, (take the Deuce south past Mccarran Airport on Las Vegas Blvd to the Bus Hub, swap to the Mall connector. this will drop you there.). Everything from Adias, Nike,Royal Dalton , jean stores, show stores, all redistribution outlets. Great selection and prices, Wish I had more time when I got out there. What you have to check out though is West Coast Cycle's store hats and shirts from less than $1 to a heavy motorcycle (ladies) jacket for less than $50. Good quality, limited size worth a look. Another reason to go? Fry's Electronics, while the prices are nothing great compared to home the selection itself is unbelievable, a place I could spend days wandering.... I did pick up some interesting things including a camera connector for my iPod and save $20 over home. So there are some deals just gotta be careful.

We took a trip to Walmart on the 3400 block of Tropicana Blvd, back off the strip into the real Las Vegas folks turf. The people here are awesome, I am sure we stick out as tourists, damn barely understand Spanish, but the folks are just like all working folks are everywhere you go I guess. I felt safer in a general threat feeling in these areas than I ever would on the strip. Just regular folks trying to make their way in a tourist heavy town.

What the heck is with the distances here? Everything looks so close then you walk and walk and walk and... well you get my meaning. it really is huge. I bet there are very few folks that do this and put weight on.

Got something outta my system today. Brother-in-law (friend) and I dragged the women along to go and shoot some guns. They stayed outside of the gun shop But V and I went in and had a great time. I choose the AR/15 - M16 full auto as well as the FN-F2000 (damn ya gotta see this Duke would be proud of me), V took the semi and did a hell of great job of grouping on the Saddam target. :-) The instructor I had on the FN just absolutely loves her job, who wouldn't. They have more ammo used than the local Marine base and use their feedback to get up to speed on the ups and downs of the weapons. Pictures to follow.

Ok may right some more in the AM, last full day tomorrow. I think the general plan is to head to Fremont St tomorrow. Then Sunday AM back to reality unfortunately.. until August.

EOF - LC

Having a blast in Vegas! More to come...

2007-01-25T09:52:00.001-08:00

Almost there

2007-01-20T07:57:00.001-08:00

Something to break the winter up with

2007-01-19T20:48:00.001-08:00

Just a few days away from a mini vacation to Las Vegas (Lost Wages). We are really looking forward to this, and to taking a break at this time of year, makes February and March a little easier to bear. We are heading down for a full week, in the past we have just headed for the 4 day packages so this will be a treat. I have spent the past few weeks researching off-strip things I want to do/see and came across this brilliant websites.

CHEAPOVEGAS

It list a great selection of on-strip, off-strip and old Vegas (Fremont St) areas. It covers all aspects of the different hotels, from room quality , Gambling, eats, drinks freebies etc.. (heck even what shampoo bottles you get in your Hotel room. A buddy works down there and really recommends Ellis Island (just behind Ballys) in searching it out I came across Cheapovegas. I am looking at the possibility of going down there again in August for Defcon, so all this little sites I find may help out.

PUBCRAWLER

A great user review site of both brewpubs and beer bars (they serve either locally produced microbrew or imports). many of these are off-strip, but look very interesting. I will be checking them out, oh I mean investing my own time researching in minute detail in order to properly provide accurate reviews, don't want to mislead any other who use this site to plan out their vacations. ;-). Yeah its hard work.

FRYS
A couple of people I know told me about these guys, they said it is a fun place to shop for electronics. So I am looking forward to experiencing them as well as seeing what kind of set-up they have to see how different it is from what we have here.

THE GUN STORE
Well, rent a SMG from the .223 minimi , AK-47, M-16 etc... Handguns too... what more do you have to say?

Oh and for those who do not know, check out Jubilee travel for last minute deals to everywhere, (eg. all inclusives to Cuba or Mexico less than $900 for a week!)

With all the new rules in place for traveling and border crossing I needed to ensure that all my gadgets were registered before I cross over the border, just to make it easer to come back. I needed to get a temporary export form, I thought it was going to be comlicated and might even cost some dough, typical expectations when dealing with any Gov't Agency but was really surprised to see how easy and painless it was. Just walked into the Canadian Border Services office on Government Street with all my gadgets, the officer took the serial # and details down, entered them on a card and within 10 minutes I was on my way. It is a permanent card so as long as the electronics do not change I am good to go. walked the passport office on the way back, all those poor buggers who have waited till the last minute to try to beat this January 23, 2007 change to entering the US that requires all people flying to the USA to have a valid passport. What I do not get is why leave it till this point, after 911, everyone should have had one, it should have been a learning point, to remember how quickly Air and land traffic was closed. I imagine that you will soon require a passport to drive across the border too, I wonder if that will create another stampede for passports? Anyways as I will have my electronics I intend to find some nice internet coffee shops, off strip.

EOF - LC

Out with the old in with the New!

2006-12-31T10:50:00.001-08:00

It's here, the last day of 2006. It's really snuck up on me this year, but looking forward to 2007 and all the opportunities and adventures it will present.

I typically do not make any Resolutions, at least in the past but I have seen a need to change much of how I do things. The atypical diet and activity being very high on the list. I have not been taking advantage of this wonderful area in which we live. I have fallen into this "sit at home" rut, and in falling into that rut all other issues that surround inactivity have also caught up with me. The usual weight and strength loss, a reduction in the amount I read/study and learn, the drive that has taken me so far both personally and in my interests has faltered. I know that forcing myself out of this comfort zone that I am in will not be easy but will bring many unseen benefits to me.

The past year has not all been a rut, with many fantastic visitors to us, many good times and memories. We also had some great trips...

Camping on Queen Charlotte's Islands
Spending a fabulous week on Quadra Island
Visiting friends and family in Prince George, Hazelton, and Terrace
Many day trips to Duncan, Nanaimo, and other points here on the Island

We have spent much time working on improving our house, as many of you have seen either in person on through previous Blog updates. The three biggest improvements being the installation of the Blaze King wood stove in January 06. 90% completion of full wall-to-wall ceramic tile, and the removal and rebuilding of our back deck. It has been a very busy year and very productive in addition to these we also fully Tiger'ized our bathroom (T -I -double Grrr'd ;-) ) as well as redoing our laundry room. While this has taken a big step forward in Home improvements, as any of you homeowners know there is always more to do.
2007 list as it stands now...

Final Tiling
Lose the textured 1970's walls fill, sand, prep and paint
Molding, both floor and crown
Lighting in hallway, Kitchen, living room and dining room
Pot hanger install in kitchen
Sunroom expansion off dining room
Possible skylight in living room
Front Fence and Gate replacement
Expansion of Driveway to allow cars to park near the front yard (this will lead to maybe building a garage/workshop in 08)
Re-Roof the house and Sunroom, (needs soffit, and everstrough replacement too)
Landscaping back yard

The other big activity I will be focusing on is improving my Skill-set in the technology field with focus on Security, OS integration, Linux, and several applications that have my interest. I see that there seems to finally be a drive to recruit staff to focus on the security side, I guess the Corporation and Governments have finally seen their bottom dollars getting hit by these breaches. It has always interested me and I have been able to gain much insight and experience in this via web resources. I do need to further my skills on the Server-side of the house, or rather to continue to develop them. I have many ongoing projects that will utilize these types of skills and will be a work in progress.

Since we now have the Canon DSLR I am scheduling many hikes, starting with Day hikes around the Southern part of the Island, of course this will allow me to get out there as well as increasing my Photography skills. As well as using my software to edit the pictures when complete. I have already printed out several pictures that I am impressed with, mostly the composition has grabbed me. As usual my primary interest with the camera is wildlife and scenery type shots. I will need to invest in a decent Mono-pod and perhaps a better/bigger camera bag, (the one I purchased is already full with the 70mm-300mm lens, hood and filters.), I suppose I could try to get a lens case to attach to the bag to create space. I will need to carry both the tripod and mono-pod though, as once you are doing any tightly composed shots the camera shake is always more pronounced on these shots. I was shooting some deer in the field yesterday there was 5-7 of them but with the zoom I could not get a clear shot.

I am also playing with the idea of selling my FJ1200, I am very interested in getting a BMW F650 GS Dakar , of course every time I get back on my FJ I have so much fun on it that I then question why I would sell. We will see though. How about one of these instead?

Wishing you all, Friends, Family and anyone who reads my Blog, the best Health, Happiness, and future in 2007!

EOF - LC

Christmas wishes

2006-12-24T08:45:00.000-08:00

"Joy, Joy. May God shower joy upon us. Christmas brings us all good things. God give us grace to see the New Year; and if we do not increase in numbers may we at all events not decrease."
Traditional Scottish Christmas Toast.

Well it's here! Christmas Eve, it's so hard to believe that the year is almost gone, but so great that it is this time of season. I was up the Malahat and into Duncan yesterday picking up our Farm Turkey and it was snowing up near the turn off for Shawnigan Lake. It was really Christmas'y. This is our first Christmas not using a mass-produced, and drug filled Turkey. yes it cost a bit more than our usual "Stupor Store" one. I expect though that it is going to be a much higher quality tasting bird, as all the other meats we have purchased have been. They have local farmers, that do not use the typical growth drugs, the only drugs they do use are ones that would be needed to look after the animal should they become sick, (or prevention of course), they are grain or naturally fed, and are free ranging animals. The steaks, Chicken and Pork products have been fantastic. They have better than 20 different types of sausages too. It is called "The Meat Market" and is located on the right side of highway(heading North) just as you enter Duncan. Just past The Old Farmers Market, a great spot for fruit and produce. So the bird goes in today just after noon, although I spent a good deal of time doing the prep work yesterday. We are really looking forward to our Christmas dinner, the Wife is working through the holiday's this year but her Sister is over to spend the season with us.

We've purchased ourselves an early gift a new Camera. We bought the Canon EOS Digital Rebel XTi, as well as a 70mm -300mm lens in addition to the 18mm-55mm that came with the kit. I also picked up a couple of filters. There is a lot to learn about using it properly, it is going to be quite fun taking this new stuff in and getting good at it. I have already been out with the camera trying various styles of shots, spent a couple of hours at Hatley Castle shooting both the wildlife and the castle itself. During the Turkey run yesterday I took a few shots around Shawnigan Lake. I have also been learning a lot about different photo editing applications. All in all it has been fun, even printed off some 8 X 10 and 4 X 6's of some of the shots to see how well they print off. Very impressed. Will need to get some of them posted.

You don't have to send money or anything else, just some Christmas thoughts.
Write the Troops, ( here They do really like to hear from us all, they get printed out and posted to a board so all can read them!), let them know that they are missed and that their and their families sacrifices are appreciated and recognized, no matter your political views let's remember these folks sign up and go where they are told to, they have been presented with a monumental task (especially in Afghanistan) they have not shirked their duty and neither complain, nor hesitate to do their best in their role.

Let's make sure that those of us here who live our days in relative peacefulness surrounded by our friend and families, not left wanting for for any item, with opportunities that many citizens of less fortunate countries do not even dare dream of, show our support for those who put it all on the line, to assist others.

Seems lately like the Media likes to focus on the armed response that Canada has provided yet does not give the troops their due when it comes to the humanitarian activities, whether it be rebuilding the soccer stadium for the kids to play safely, rebuilding/restocking classrooms, encouraging the reopening of schools for all children and the removal of threats against those teachers/instructors who put their lives at risk by teaching classrooms of mixed sexes.

A Scottish Christmas; Linking to tradition:

Just some links to traditions form my cultural heritage. Some interesting reading.

Scottish Traditional Christmas 1

Scottish Traditional Christmas 2

Some Scottish Christmas Music:

Wishing all of you the very best wishes for the Christmas Season, hoping you all are healthy, happy and have everything you need.

May the best you've ever seen
Be the worst you'll ever see;
May a moose ne'er leave yer girnal
Wi' a teardrop in his e'e.
May ye aye keep hale and hearty
Till ye're auld enough tae dee,
May ye aye be just as happy
As I wish ye aye tae be.

by Allan Ramsay of Ayr

Merry Christmas!

EOF - LC

MSN Spaces http://cadwallader.spaces.live.com/

Burn Weekend

2006-11-05T18:47:00.000-08:00

Well thankfully the first full blown rain storm of the Fall/Winter has broken enough for me to get some scrap wood and trimmings onto the fire. It is the Burn Weekend for November, missed it last month and was hoping I was going to get a break to get it done. There was so much scrap from this summer's projects as well as stuff that keeps getting missed on the various landfill runs. Just be nice to get it out of here, as it makes the yard look like a rental.

It has been a busy few months since we returned from out holidays in the North. We brought the Brother-in-law back with us to get us started tiling the house. Between the three of us we had all of the house with the exception of the two Bedrooms, Computer room and Laundry room done. We really appreciated the help he gave us would have been so much more work without his assistance. We still have a lot to do, but these are our winter projects and will keep us busy until the spring. The laundry room was tiled and painted ( see here) as well we bought a replacement freezer (a stand up one) make better use of the room. We still need to do our baseboard and Crown-molding but will do the whole house in one shot instead of room by room.

We still need to begin the painting as well as lighting updates. As stated the laundry room was painted, but still needs some final touches. I have tried a few different things to get rid of the textured walls, seems the best way to approach it without re-drywalling is to smooth coat it with some Lite Line. I tested this out in the computer room and it seems to work quite well. Looking forward to getting the walls completed and then painted, it will really finish the house off nicely. Looking at the "modern British" colors, bright and warm, reds, oranges, greens etc then finish the rooms off with moldings, and frames and they will be fantastic.

Look to see updated pictures including the home improvements on the flickr site

Looking forward to the upcoming holiday season. We have changed out the way we have been consumerising (hmmm??) the fact that
we have been supporting these big box meat processing/sales outfits, rather than supporting the local ranchers, and farmers. After experiencing life in a smaller community and learning first hand how important it is to buy local and support local we have finally got our stuff together and found the resources to help us change the way we shop. Two sites The Meatrix and Sustainable Table have instrumental in helping us change. We bought a really nice freezer package from the Butcher in Duncan. The meat is incredible and tastes so much different than what we have experienced up till now (with the exception of wild meat). So in keeping with the upcoming holiday I am going to get a free range turkey, tried one before back in the early 90's. I am looking forward to trying out my usual receive on this new meat.

One other exciting thing is getting back in touch with someone very close that I have not "seen" in a long time. Someone I thought was gone for good, and glad to see I was wrong about that.

EOF - LC

Only hours to go

2006-09-22T10:36:00.000-07:00

In less than two hours we will be on the road back to Victoria. Going to stop off in Hazelton to visit SD for an hour or so and then stop off to pick up our meat in Prince George, this comes directly from the Rancher. I am looking forward to trying some of those steaks as I am sure the quality will be far superior to anything you can buy in the local Store.

There are three of us in the van driving back down so we should be able to swap off and drive straight through, expecting to arrive in Vancouver early Saturday, then ferry to Victoria and home by Noon or so.

It has been a fantastic holiday, as usual not enough time to visit everyone or do everything I had hoped, but there is always next year ;-).

I will have a more detailed update when we get settled in and further picture updates then.

EOF - LC

Get Some!

2006-09-17T21:49:00.000-07:00

What would you rather be doing on a wet and cold Sunday afternoon?

Last day on Haida Gwaii.

2006-09-15T02:03:00.000-07:00

This has been an incredible visit to a place I had considered not spending the time to do so. As typical with holiday time it flies back and I had thought that the nearly 6 days out of the time would have been better spent around the Terrace area. I am very glad that I had decided to do it. The beaches here are unbelievable, they go on forever, and you can walk for miles without seeing another soul. The weather has been beautiful although the speed with which it can change and that the clouds move through this territory, (it would be hard to convince anyone who has not seen this that it actually occurs,) always keeps you on your toes as you never wants to be caught without the right gear. I really need to thank FD for convincing us to come over with him and explore these Islands an experience that we will be able to look back on for a long time.

Gotta wonder why they do not change the name of the Area back to the traditional Haida Gwaii, and away from the Queen Charlotte Islands (Graham and Moresby Islands). Does anyone even know who she was, this Queen Charlotte. Hey No Googling!!! You see my point though, I am sure she had never even made it to the Island. Besides Haida Gwaii, sounds so much more representative of the area, as well as adding a mysterious allure to the Island. The map on our kitchen wall here in Masset has a little history of the area, and it states the first white settler to reach the Island was Roderick Dodd, (how's about that Margaret?) going to have to look a little deeper into the history as it might be interesting to find out a little about him and where he came from and why.

We spent yesterday on North Beach and hiking Tow Hill. Upon reaching the beach we drove up to the shipwreck (driving the Westy on the beach was very different and exciting) about 2.5 miles up. As we approached the wreck there were a couple of guys on dual-sports who had toured up from Vancouver. As we passed them they were snapping pictures of us driving by, (I returned the favour when they left.) we got a little way from the wreck where we stopped and walked back to talk to them. I guess they transported their bike and gear on their truck which they parked in Port Hardy, took the ferry to Rupert then over to QCI. It would be a nice little tour. Tow hill was a good little hike the trail-building that that had done was amazing, I can only imagine how much work was put into this trail. The views from the observation decks were unbelievable, so much beach so few people just my kind of place. We also hiked to the blowhole, although tide was out so this was not doing its thing. The beach area below Tow Hill, was very other-worldly, it was (as is the hill) an ancient lava flow beaten down by centuries of ocean flow. There were tidal pools nearly four feet across (circular) and so deep that I could not see the bottom, although Bexley came close to assisting me in find out how deep they are as he bumped me on his way past.

I have many pictures that I am going to upload with this posting when we get back to Terrace around midnight (ferry departs at 15:30 arrives in Prince Rupert about 21:30). I will try to order them somewhat as there are so many.

We had a fantastic homemade pasta dinner for our last dinner with a nice bottle of Naked Grape. Heading out this morning to a local place called "Bloom n Boot" for some touristy things and going to hit a local pottery place that does some really nice coffee mugs, MS has one and the design is ingenious.

Oh last note I tore the van apart trying to get it to start, after many issues. I need to get some plugs, Distributor cap and two V belts although none of these caused the issues but need to be replaced. I took off the second skid plate behind the fuel tank, checking fuel lines and connections. Then checked the Fuel pump and found a loose connection (electrical) to it, using my best Red Green training I have re-secured it and have not had a repeat of the issue. Woo Hoo!

LINKS:

Ferry to Queen Charlotte Islands

Gray Bay Rec Site (26 KM past Sandspit)

Queen Charlotte City and the Purple Onion

Graham Island (Skidegate and Masset)

Masset and North Beach

North Beach and Tow Hill

EOF - LC

Backlog 2

2006-09-12T11:15:00.000-07:00

September 11, 2006

Masset, Haida Gwaii

As you can tell with this double upload to the Blog (perhaps it might be more than these two?) we never stopped in Queen Charlotte City but went right through to Skidegate so never got a chance to go live. We stopped into a little Gift shop there, came back to the van and it would not start. Looking at the mileage there a lack of gas was the most likely cause, so pulled out the reserve Jerry can filled it with that. Waited a bit for the gas to cycle through then it started and we hit the next station and filled the both of them back up. We headed to Masset, stopping off at the Balancing Rock a 96 KM trip, then 4 clicks out of Masset the beast lost all power, started to bleed of power and RPMs. Stepping on the gas seemed to make no difference. The engine's Rev would not increase. I ended up having to unload much of our gear just to access the engine and my tools. I removed each of the spark plugs (a little wet and dirty) Air cleaner box (some moisture, oily and dirty – not the filter which was in good shape), and the Distributor cap, none of these seemed to make a difference. The entire time it seemed like either it was not getting fuel or a spark, by the time I had replaced all the items I removed it then started up no problem. It almost seems as though there is an overheating issue, but that being the case the thermostat should have alerted us to this before hand. The coolant level is within range. I am also wondering about the fuel pump, but again it should be consistent rather than these out behaviours occurring, as we had already drove from Victoria to Prince George without issue. Hey but we are here, just not sure if this is going to effect my trip further north next Friday, we may instead need to visit our old mechanic in Terrace.

OK enough of that. We are really enjoying our visit here, I could not believe the amount of deer that we have seen on our trip to the Northern part of this Island. We have also passed over the 54 Parallel although it was not marked anywhere physically, I did note it on the map before head this way. The place we are staying in is a duplex, that used to be family quarters for the military before they pulled out. You can tell that the area and may of it's buildings were built by the military especially the local Rec Centre and hospital. After a couple of days camping it was really nice to come here and have a hot shower as well as kicking back watching a little football. Well more to come and hopefully both the internet issue and the van issues are not an entry in the next post. ;-)

EOF - LC

backlog 1

2006-09-12T11:11:00.000-07:00

September 10, 2006

From Gray Bay, 21 KM from Sandspit on Queen Charlotte Islands

We arrived on the Island yesterday the BC ferries hold quite the schedule. We needed to leave Terrace at 2AM arrive at the Ferry terminal in Prince Rupert at 4 AM for the 6 AM sailing. We picked FD up enroute to Prince Rupert. The ferry itself is so much smaller than we are used to down south. The loading of the vehicles is quite the operation, and include things like Container Trailers without the trucks to save cost and space.

The trip over was very nice the ocean was quite calm, the time to cross was about 6 ½ hours. We had a cabin, and both my wife and her Bro we snoozing for a good part of the trip. I went down for breakfast then found a good spot out on deck out of the wind to sit and watch the waves go by. We saw several pods of porpoise as well as a group of whales.

I am about 25 feet from the incoming tide at our campsite at Gray Bay. I am just sitting here listening and watching the crashing waves around me. It is just as advertised, miles and miles of unoccupied beaches. Got up this morning coffee in hand and walked and walked , the tide was quite the ways out and took advantage of this to explore a couple of the smaller outcrops that were reachable with the tide out. Many species of Seabirds also took advantage of the outgoing tide to pick the beach and tidal pools for their morning meal. Every pool I nosed through was teaming with various types of life from hermit crabs to fish. After doing a run back to town for a few necessities I walked back down the road from camp to hike into Secret Cove, we have the brother-in-law's dog, Bexley with us, and both he and Andre and myself went on the hike. Well Bexley is still a young pup, not really sure of how strong he is or how fast, of course everything is play play play. He was doing his best gazelle manoeuvres chasing down a chipmunk or squirrel, bouncing through the high grass. Then he gets so far ahead you can no longer see him. All of a sudden you hear low growls and crashing bush, thinking it is a bear you prepare yourself, well if it isn't Bexley again. Bugger! He will also get ahead of you , far ahead, then sit and raise his shoulders, looking intently behind me. Who says dogs don't have a sense of humor? At least I hope they can enjoy these games they play on us. ;-)

I believe we are heading up to the North Side of the Islands tomorrow. I am hoping to hit "The Purple Onion" in Queen Charlotte City since not only do they have the best coffee on the Island but they also have internet there so I can upload this and perhaps my pictures so far.

If you ever get a chance to come to this Island make sure you take it, it really is something to experience. From Hiking, camping, fishing (Coho right now), hunting (Deer are abundant here and your total limit is 6 deer.). Just so much to do and such a beautiful place and I have seen so little of it so far.

EOF -LC

More fun than a ....

2006-09-07T20:32:00.000-07:00

It's been a lot of fun over the last few days. We went out with good friends of ours to a local restaurant, The Golden Flame. They do a great Lamb Dinner. The meal as always was fabulous, and the company of course was as enjoyable as it always is. It was great to see JM and PV, they are the salt of the earth.

I was supposed to be heading out with JM and doing some bush crashing in the ATV, but got a bit impatient and ended up heading off myself today. The weather was alright but the skies did open up on me a few times. I went up the Copper Forestry Road, then unloaded the ATV on the Clore. I was very surprised to see active logging on this road, (surprised due to the local mill still being closed up.), nothing like riding an ATV then coming head to head with a loaded Logging truck to remind you how small you are. ;-) After the encounter I decided to stay on the deactivated roads as much as possible. I was out there for about 5 1/2 hours and made it up into two different ranges. An incredible view! I came across one log blocking the road and needed to build a ramp of sorts to get over it. I saw lots of evidence of Bears, Moose and deer, (droppings and scat) but I think with the noise of the ATV it scared most them out of the open. I did however see many grouse. I took quite a few pictures as always and also had my GPS on hand I will need to download the way points when I get back home as I forgot my cable for it.

Will need to have an early night tomorrow, we are getting up at 2AM Saturday for the drive to Prince Rupert. We have to be at the Ferry Terminal by 4AM for the check-in. The Ferry leaves for the Charlotte's at 6AM and arrives in Skidegate at 12:30 PM. We are both looking forward to the Visit to the area.

LINKS:

EOF - LC

Terrace Update

2006-09-04T15:53:00.000-07:00

Sad news upon our return from the campsite today, about Steve Irwin (Crocodile Hunter) dying after a freak accident with a Stingray. We really enjoyed his show, as well as being very impressed with the work he and his wife did to rescue many animals, and his efforts to educate and promote wildlife conservatory works. A loss for us all. :-(

We have been busy over the past few days here in Terrace, visiting many we have not seen for a few days. The weather has been fantastic with bright blue skies, lots of sun and many stars at night.

Last night we went over to a very good friends and were spoiled with many treats. From a fantastic home-made dip (Yum) that disappeared as quick as you would expect for something that tasted so very good, to handmade Salsa, hot wings, bacon wrapped Steaks, BBQ'ed Stir fry veggies, baked potatoes, Prawns (massive ones!) with Garlic butter, Cesar Salad, well you get the idea both J and K put together a very impressive spread and spoiled us rotten. It had been quite a while since I had been able to sit around with my bud, hang out around the fire, shoot the breeze and have a night filled with laughs. This was our first meeting (face to face) with his woman, K. She's a great person and really brings out the best in J. Very smart, funny and a real person through and through. we had a blast. Slightly hung this morning - Par for the course LOL.

Saturday was spent out at 26 mile camping with a group of folks that we had camped with a few time before. It was very nice to see them again, (and to hear C's cutting and dry sense of humor he is always good for a chuckle). J brought out a few ATV's from his Polaris 500, a Polaris 450 and a Yamaha 700. Had a lot of fun bombing around the Gravel pit on each of them, the Yamaha goes like stink, but the best one and all around work horse was still J's 500.

Back to school for the Kiddies tomorrow, and many of our friends are back to work too, Going to pop out and get together with JM tomorrow, (might try to sneak in an ATV trip up the Copper this week with him). Will also get together with The Reids, hopefully. Looks like this Saturday we will be heading to the Charlotte's and returning on Thursday the 14. I will try to continue uploading to both this Blog and my Flickr sites while there. Upon my return I will head up to Watson Lake and Liard Hotsprings,just me and Andre.

Links:
Liard Hot Spings
Jason and Kitti's BBQ
Camping at 26 Mile

EOF - LC

Back Home - in Terrace ;-)

2006-09-02T09:31:00.000-07:00

We arrived back in Terrace mid-afternoon Yesterday. The drive from Prince George was fantastic, a beautiful day to cruise The Yellowhead, as Highway 16 is known. Not too much road destruction, but loads of wind. In a Westy this is not a great thing as you get pushed all over the road, hmm interactive Driving.

Was nice to count down through all the little towns as we knew we were getting closer. The Skeena river is a fantastic shade of green with no traces of muddiness. Must not have had a lot of rain.

LINKS:

The Metal Observer this is the podcasts I mentioned in the previous posting.
Cafe Bella Vita - this is the coffeehouse in Downtown PG fantastic coffee and wireless Internet. (361 Victoria Street)
Yellowhead Highway Through 4 Provinces

My Flickr Site - Pictures from our trip so far -

Wonderful to be back in Terrace. :-)

EOF - LC

From the Geographic Center of the Province

2006-09-01T16:45:00.000-07:00

We arrived in Prince George day on the 29th. The drive from Victoria was really nice. The weather was fantastic, with only a little rain in Cache Creek, some thunder. Being a Tuesday the roads were very empty, we made some great time. AC was sleeping through the majority of the trip as she had just finished a graveyard shift. Most the drive I had my iPod and headphones on. I tripped across this great metal site a few days before we left. They had just started a podcast. The site was Metal Observer, the podcast was fantastic. Different styles of metal from all over the world. Most I had not heard before and really enjoyed the introduction to. Driving and listening to those kinds of tunes, drinking lots of Timmy's coffees and taking in all the sites, Does it get any better than this?

We have been spending a few quality days with a good friend of ours here in Prince George. Lots of laughs, good food, beer, and other treats. Its great to be back here, lots has changed. Mr PG has a huge Casino behind him. There are many new developments, housing prices are on their way back up, much of this is based on new developments in the Pipeline and Gas industry. I am really glad to see some positive economic developments for the region, they had been hit very hard with Lumber and mining cut backs over the years.

We sampled some fresh Kokanee that MB's Parents had just smoked. Wow! Forget how nice fresh fish can taste. MB's Dad is very intelligent and inventive, while giving us the tour of his green house he showed us the root cellar he put in under his greenhouse. He also has a red wriggler worm ranch, guess these little guys are in huge demand in gardens everywhere. His garlic was incredible big cloves, he gave us some tips on planting them, and I think I am going to try it out in my cleared potato patch when we get home. He also had some solid tips for many of our plants in our garden. MB also knows much about these things as well and gave us many tips about what we "newbies" should do and most importantly to keep a garden journal so we have what works and what does not year to year.

Hard to believe that our visit here to Prince is almost over, we are heading to Terrace tomorrow and expect to arrive tomorrow night. More great people to visit and see again, more great places to see too. :)

EOF - LC

Writely, trip, repairs and Improvements

2006-08-20T09:19:00.000-07:00

Reading about Google's newest release. An Online Word Processor (plus more) called Writely. Very easy to sign up for and it could be a useful online application and collaboration tools for many road warriors or those who are touring and using Internet Cafe's and cannot or do not wish to install yet another bloated tool for word processing. As I have just started using it I am not sure of what limitations are on it, this is a Beta so I am sure that it is not going to be a cakewalk just yet. There are file upload limitations, as there must be. May ask a buddy of mine to sign up and try some of the collaboration options. The auto save function seems to be timed much like Gmail, and yes that has saved me some recreation time ;-). As I have a road trip coming up it might be the perfect opportunity to try it out.

Speaking of ... 8 Days and counting! damn I am looking forward to getting back up North. Looking forward to hitting all of my favorite places. We are going to start by spending some time with a good friend in Prince George . She's a blast, so very positive and a lot of fun to hang out with. From there we will go straight through to Terrace , (ah nice to be home again). We are going to be heading to the Queen Charlotte Islands for a few days as well, it will be our first trip over. I was originally hesitant about going there, we have a limited time to spend, but after my Mother-in-law went over and told us about it we have to take the opportunity to experience it. Supposedly mile and miles of sandy beaches with no one around. It will be a bit cold for any swimming, but we are hoping to get our fill of seafood. Speaking of I think I will be able to get some fishing in, our timing should be good for some salmon and trout. Any of you who know me know that I do not get very excited about much, but I am starting to get that "Kid on Christmas eve" feeling. During the whole trip I will be posting to the Blog(s) so stay tuned. It also appears that my father-in-Law will be in Watson Lake , (In the Yukon) for much of our trip. I have never been, and am always looking to explore more of the North I love, so may take a few days to make it up there to a point further North than I have been so far (record now is Dease Lake ).

As the schedule is getting tight before we leave I am a little anxious about some parts for our Westy I am awaiting. The little van has been up on blocks for about 2+ weeks, as we discovered a fuel leak when we filled up. After pulling the tank I found a couple of small holes on the top end of the tank as well as much corrosion inside. Pulled a favor in with a good friend on the mainland who works in the automotive industry and was able to get a new tank and a good price. I needed to replace the venting tube, two plastic valves and three grommets (Dealer got better than $70 for bugger!). I replaced all fuel hose and fuel filter, did not do the charcoal one, (after visiting the Westy Owners site I am rethinking this and since it is still up on blocks I will do this. Hoping I can get it from Bow-Wow Automotive and do not have to see the Dealer),re-zapped strapped everything. The expansion tank on the Passenger side was very brittle, ended up breaking both the lower nipple and the Expansion Valve Cap Nipple off, and of course the only place carry the part was the Dealer. So another $120, and now I play the waiting game. It was supposed to come from Toronto and be in on Thursday, but nothing so far. Dealer says it should have come in Friday (this past) or tomorrow (Monday). I am hoping so as I need a good week to test it on the road and ensure that it will run fine. I also bought a new Oxygen Sensor, but as it is located in the exhaust I will hold off on installing that until I get to Terrace.

Around the house I have been very busy. I should have some new pictures to post as I expect to be completing the deck install today. Just doing the railing over the past days as well as the gate. Still have the stairs to do, and with the Wife working graves I am trying to keep it down to just nailing and no power tools until late in the afternoon. I was out racing the sun last night trying to get all the wood facing slats cut, and got it done just as the sun went down. Ended up putting tools away in the dark and then doing my Hot wings on the BBQ by the Sensor light. :-0
So stay tuned, I think I am going to like the way it finished off.

Met the neighbour last evening, over the fence. Turns out he also works for TELUS too, in an I&R position. Seems like a pleasant fellow. Was asking if he could pop over to trim his grape vine on our side.

EOF - LC

Watch "Troops (Star Wars COPS Parody)" on Google Video

2006-08-03T21:54:00.000-07:00

Your friend at the Imperial Stormtroopers, has sent you the following video from Google Video:

Troops (Star Wars COPS Parody)

Description:
Troops (Star Wars COPS Parody)

Want to see more cool videos?
Go to video.google.com/

Think you have an even cooler video?
Add it at video.google.com/videouploadform

If you're having trouble watching the video, try copying the following URL into your browser:
http://video.google.com/videoplay?docid=-5351101160052590481&pr=goog-sl

Strange days indeed

2006-07-19T21:20:00.000-07:00

An amazing start to the day yesterday, to find yourself in the early hours, in the shower with the window open to suddenly hear what you take to be the sound of horse hooves striding along the road that our house is located on. Firstly let me point out that the road, Sooke Road also referred to as " Le Mans Sooke" during the tourist season is anything but a quite countryside route, it is instead a full-fledged 4 lane (plus a centre left turn lane) primary route from View Royal, through Langford, Colwood, Metchosin etc.. At that time of day it is usually one way traffic heading to the Downtown core for the beginning of another workday. So anyways, I digress, upon hearing the click-clack of the hooves I had to stick my head out the window to find out what it was, we are in an area frequented by many Deer, sure enough this horse goes flying by, not looking panicked but looking as though he is enjoying the freedom of the road, must have been a biker in a past life. It was a truly a most unique way to start the day off, at least bringing a chuckle to my face. ;-)

Well swapped out the Mainboard in my system, as in the previous post, good to be back on my machine, just thankful that it was only the board, not the additional expense of the CPU or worse hard Disk and Data loss. GAAK!

Big countdown beginning soon to the start of the vacation, it will be so excellent to have almost a full month off. To be able to kick back and re-explore some areas I have not seen in a long time. We are really looking forward to it.

30th anniversary of the Viking Landers touching down on Mars, NASA has put together some great multimedia products at http://www.jpl.nasa.gov/news/spotlights/, including a video capturing the landing day drama, as the team saw the first pictures of the Martian surface, and a Flash slide show featuring Viking highlights. From those landers came the ability for us to have the current presence on the planet with the hope that I will see a fulltime human presence on both Mars and the Moon, as they have state they wished to do. Amazing how far the technology in Space Exploration has come. Leap and bounds.

EOF - LC

Danger Will Robinson!!

2006-07-16T13:03:00.000-07:00

Looks like an Astoroid hit my Soutbridge! Grrr! Should have gone with Regan's SDI plan and this could have been prevented ;-)

EOF - LC

Happy 139th Birthday

2006-07-01T16:25:00.000-07:00

Hey its Canada Day!! Woo Hoo! This is my first one actually being a Canadian so I am very excited to be a part of the best Country in the world! We have some fantastic weather to celebrate the day, usually I would do a big BBQ up for the day but with our deck in process the BBQ is awkward to use so I have decided instead to do my barely hot chili. OK those who know me, or those who have ever tried it know that it is a collection of 17 chili peppers, (Yes Habaneros too evil grin ) and that even if you try the left overs out of the fridge cold you are guaranteed to get hot real fast. Should be a good meal to celebrate the day. Hope you all are also having a great day to celebrate this event.

The week before last my Wife's Brother came down with his Kids to spend some time with us as well as picking up our old westy off of us. We cruised up to Campbell River with both Westy's and spent the first night in Elk Falls. I think the kids really enjoyed the first night of camping. The berries are in season right now as well so there was lots of nibbling going on. Blueberries, Salmon Berries and Huckleberries were everywhere. The next day we were wondering where we should head to, so we decided off the cuff to take the ferry over to Quadra Island. That was a great decision, as the reminder of our trip was spent there, camping right on the beach near Rebecca Spit. The campsite is run by the local Native band the site is called We Wai Kai. We could not believe how nice it was where we were staying. I have uploaded many (not kidding here as I did not get to edit them but just uploaded them) of the pictures to my Flickr website. Hope you all enjoy them. Picture here

It was a great mini vacation, sort of a primer for the longer one coming up at the end of August. It will be nice to head back up to Terrace for such an extended period.

EOF - LC

Nick "Can I look yet?"

2006-06-25T19:10:00.000-07:00

June 25 2006 - Elk Falls-Quadra Island 261, originally uploaded by Logantech.

On a long hot drive the best way to cool off is a cold damp cloth over your eyes, I read that somewhere. ;-)

Red Spider

2006-06-12T08:40:00.000-07:00

IMG_0005, originally uploaded by Logantech.

Found this guy under the deck as I was clearing the wood away. Still trying to ID him, Big bugger the size of my thumb, blood red legs and a very interesting pattern on his back

Two wheels Good...Four Wheels Bad

2006-06-07T06:02:00.000-07:00

Three Bikes 04, originally uploaded by Logantech.

Last picture of the three machines, 1981 Yamaha XS-650, 1986 Yamaha FJ1200, 2003 Honda Rebel. I sold the 650 yesterday, it has been a great bike, I am sure the new owner will have a blast on it.

New Addition to the Family

2006-06-02T16:00:00.000-07:00

The Wife bought herself a new (or nearly new) Motorcycle day before last, as she is in training for her Motorcycle License. She has had the restrictions removed from her learners and is good to go for gaining further road experience. She had my Older (1981) Yamaha XS-650 Special, but we both felt it may be safer and easier for her to learn on a newer, lighter and more dependable bike. We had quite the time trying to find one though, seems that many of the lighter cruiser style bikes ranging from 250-750 cc are in great demand now. The papers are full of Sport bikes and MX ones, but smaller and newer cruisers are sold very quickly.We got this one from Cedar, (just south of Nanaimo) from a lady who used it for the same purpose that "AC" is going to use it, just to gain experience for a year or so. I rode it back, but my planing side of my brain must have been absent. I should have brought the pick-up and we could have loaded it on board, or should have brought full gear. Well I didn't, just my helmet, glove and Joe Rocket Jacket, I was wearing jeans and light weight boots. Of course it rained very very heavy. I was drenched by Ladysmith, snickering at the amount of liquid in my boots. We pulled into Duncan for gas for the van, and I was just totally wet. At least it was semi-warm, looking for the positive in it comes from all that winter riding I have done. ;-) . The bike itself ran like a top reaching Highway cruising speeds without any issue at all.

More of the pictures of her 2003 Honda CMX250C Rebel on my Flickr Site of course.

Sunrise in Parksville, BC

2006-05-10T05:32:00.000-07:00

IMG_0043, originally uploaded by Logantech.

An incredible Sunrise.

Campbell River Early Morning

2006-05-08T19:26:00.000-07:00

IMG_0025, originally uploaded by Logantech.

Beautiful Place

Sitting on the balcony over the ocean:

2006-05-08T19:24:00.000-07:00

Just in Parksville on Vancouver Island tonight staying at the Quality Inn on the Ocean. Pictures coming soon. My balcony is about 45 feet from the beach; the view is something else, unlike the Mrs Richards exchange ;-)

Mrs. Richards: When I pay for a view I expect to see something more interesting than that.
Basil: That is Torquay, Madam.
Mrs Richards: Well, it's not good enough.
Basil: Well, may I ask what you were hoping to see out of a Torquay hotel bedroom-window? Sidney Opera House perhaps? The Hanging Gardens of Babylon? Herds of wildebeest? sweeping majestically?
Mrs Richards: Don't be silly. I expect to be able to see the sea.
Basil: You can see the sea. It's over there between the land and the sky.

I have been a bit of a road trip both last week and this, mostly work-related but it has also allowed me to tour around after hours. Last week was Campbell River, Port Hardy and Courtenay. I was very lucky on the weather. Not thrilled about the hotel in Campbell River but the City is a great place. This week is Parksville and Port Alberni, We camp in China Creek South of Port Alberni every fall.

I then drove up to Port Hardy, met one of my old friends on the way up. The hotel there was incredible, right on the fisherman's marina (mostly commercial ships) and was facing east so the sunset was great.

It was then back to Courtenay, this hotel had the most professional staff and conference room set-up. As well they were quite sympathetic when I locked myself out, putting the food tray in the hall. Just as well the only thing I was missing was my boots; it was a long walk to the Front Desk.

I have spent some time loading most of the pictures on my Flickr site if you would like to sneak a peak.

The Road trip has been a lot of fun; I wish I could travel up this way a little more often. Port Hardy and area really is similar to the Terrace area, it is probably part of the pull.

Time to get some grub – more to come.

EOF -LC

Our New Westy

2006-04-29T09:18:00.000-07:00

Our New Westy, originally uploaded by Logantech.

Just picked it up last night, our new 1985 Westy. Feel the need, not for speed (come on this is a Westy!) but for camping.
:-)

St Nick on the beach

2006-04-28T05:38:00.000-07:00

IMG_0002, originally uploaded by Logantech.

King Nick masterfully watches over his domain.
Flikr test 2

Flickr

2006-04-28T05:32:00.000-07:00

This is a test post from , a fancy photo sharing thing.

March 28, 2006

2006-03-28T14:46:00.000-08:00

I have become really hooked on a couple of reality shows lately, no nothing like Temptation Island or Big Brother or whatever... Real reality shows, ones like " Pioneer's Quest" that I used to watch.

I was introduced to "Long Way Round" with Ewen McGregor and Charley Boorman saddling up on a couple of BMW R1150GS Adventure's and heading east from London England touring through some of the most challenging terrain, Kazakhstan, Mongolia,Siberia, Ukraine, Russia, The Road of Bones, Alaska, BC (Woo Hoo), with New York City as the final destination. I think the best thing about the series is the people that they meet, the friendliness and hospitality no matter which country they were in. An awesome show!! On Outdoor network

Survivorman with Les Stroud - simple concept... drop this guy in the middle of some remote area with a bunch of camera equipment , the clothes on his back and not much else and tell him to survive for 7 days, sometimes having to find his own way out. Les Stroud is phenomenal in displaying real life situations where you may get yourself into, and entertains you with both his humor and his knowledge of the skills to survive. He is also a producer, and musician with many other shows coming soon. One of them is called "Off the Grid" where he takes his families new house and lives literally off the grid. Looking forward to that. On Outdoor network

Canada's Worst Handyman - No matter how handy you are or not, you should watch this show. I cannot believe these people are allowed to own tools. Much of what they seem to do wrong is just basically not listen to the instructor and plod along as they had before the show. With the exception of Darryl, Who's wife's constant belittling of him cause the handyman errors the others are in a very tight race for the title "Canada's Worst Handyman". On Discovery Channel

Things ongoing around the house

Tiles:

Just organizing things to go and pick up our tiles for the house. It took us some time to finally decide on a tile color and pattern. I think it is the usual problem I have when presented with too many choices. There are some fantastic types, thicknesses and patterns, not to mention manufacturers and countries, then prices ranging from less than a buck per s.f., and way way higher. We were looking for either a green or terracotta color, something that would go with all of our furniture, but also something that will brighten the house up.

Deck:

Only the plywood flooring (yeah can you believe it plywood flooring...great for soaking up water) left and of course the trusses or supports. Going to have to level them all off, (As you can see in the previous pictures there is a large sagging occurring)and then strengthen them. This is to provide the extra support required for the room expansion this year. Should be a lot of fun and will give us a really nice rec/dining sunroom.

Paint:

Well time to get off my duff and get that started, need to have the rooms done before the tile of course. Particular rooms like the Kitchen need not only paint, but light fixtures updated as well. I have a Fluorescent for the Laundry room. We will have to do some research at Home depot or Canadian Tire, I like to "research" ;-)

Backyard:

Big improvements there with several truckloads of yard waste and old lumber carted away. Now that I have my truck back (needed to get the Front brakes done) I can continue with transporting to the landfill, and bringing back clean fill to get the yard leveled.

Gotta love spring. more on that later...

EOF - LC

Snow in March? In Victoria? WTF?

2006-03-11T07:38:00.000-08:00

Yes indeed, not huge volumes like out East or up North but surprisingly enough to turn the lawns white for a little while, very unusual for March in Victoria. We have this very pink sunrise this morning , "Red in Morning sailors take warning".

Will have some loads to take to the landfill today, spent a lot of time taking down that sad rear deck of ours in preparation of one of the summer projects. De-construction is always fun, great for releasing built up stress. This also really improved the looks of our place, as much as removing that old shed did. Pictures below.

http://www.flickr.com/photos/cadwallader/sets/72057594078380047/

Speaking of pictures I have reordered most of them on Flickr, it was pointed out that they were showing in reverse order so when the slide show was played it was a little odd. Sorry about that.

X-Men fans unite, the trailer for the upcoming last installment of the series is on Apple's site here, it looks to be faithful to the comics with war brewing between the humans and the mutants. Looks awesome and has some surprises in store I am sure. The article on it can be found on the Hollywood North site. All the favorite X-Men are back plus some new ones including Kelsey Grammer playing Beast, other than the voice it's hard to believe it's him.

Some great news yesterday from JPL, with the success of the insertion of the Mars Reconnaissance Orbiter (MRO) into orbit around the God of war. This is the most advanced orbiter to be sent to the planet with a very high chance of discoveries to be found by the MRO that may reshape our view of both the planet and our solar system. This was the second great space story in the week with the announcement of the possible discovery of water in a geyser-type flow on Enceladus, a moon of Saturn, this discovery by the Cassini probe seems to have taken all the science teams by surprise, that liquid water should be found on such a small and cold satellite so near the surface was completely unexpected and so far unexplained. The full story on it can be found on JPL's site here.

The sound in my deck in my Westy had started to oscillate (whether the engine was on or off), it was about 5 years old and was a present from the Wife so was hoping to fix it but that was just not going to happen. I replaced it on Thursday evening, (going to use the old one in the Pick-up) with a Sony Xplōd CDX-GT200 Deck that plays CD, MP3, WMA, 100dB+ EQ, and a front Auxiliary plug, (for my iPod). It was a very reasonable price and so I was going to get an amp installed as well. The Rep at FutureShop was very helpful, she took the time to go to their installation Department and came back advising me not to bother with the amp until I am ready to update my speakers or add a sub-woofer, (heh heh not a chance of that in the Westy unless I decide to never use it for camping - just no room.), which was both honest and surprising considering the store. Futureshop seems to be changing it modus operandi, before when you walked in the door you felt like a piece of meat that had just been dropped at the feet of a flock of Buzzards, now you always get a greeting but not a constant barrage, wonder if the influence of their parent company BestBuy is starting the change. Anyways I diverge, since I never shelled out for the amp, I decided to buy a Sirius Satellite radio, the Starmate and sign up for the one year subscription, (wanted to do the lifetime deal but $550 is way more than I have to spend) and asked them to install both. I also have the home kit for it. It is fantastic, 24 hour uninterrupted no commercials, 100 channels including some awesome rock and metal, plus Canadian news and music BBC world report. It's like having digital cable for your tunes. The deck is fantastic as well the output is crisp, clear and very loud, the speakers I had in the van were Sony Xplōd's as well so they tie in very nicely. It will be a lot of fun on our next camping trip to have capability for great quality sound, and a selection from Satellite to iPod, purchased Cd's or our own mp3/WMA creations. When we do our long road trip should be fantastic.

Doing the bach' thing now, as Madam has joined her Mum and Sister for a trip to NYC, Her sister's Choir will be performing in Carnegie Hall!! Can't tell you how happy we all are for her Sister, as well its great that the three ladies get a chance to take off together for a trip to the Clothing shopping capital of North America. I hope to hear from her while she is there, maybe an email or something, if I do I will post it here.

Going to be some busy times coming, I really need to knuckle down and get my Certifications done. Gotta get the Security+ under the belt then move forward with the MS stuff. Just been so busy at work, with so much overflow (take home stuff - yes unpaid - but politically the only way to maintain an upper hand.). I really hope that several things get sorted at work to alleviate these issues, stop the turf wars and in-fighting that is causing us to lose the relationships that had been built, pay equity/title matching roles and responsibilities which would go far to improving morale and self-worth. I imagine many large firms may be the same but I think it sad that while you are being patted on the back for performance that is considered "above and beyond" there is no will from above to provide proper wages to enforce that pat on the back.

Anyways, as stated have a full schedule today got a date with the local landfill. ;-)

EOF - LC

More Vegas Pictures

2006-02-25T08:50:00.000-08:00

Jeeze! Where does the time go? Forgive me for I have sinned, it has been 12 days since the last Blog update. ;-)

OK as promised the other two batches of pictures from our Vegas trip.

World of Concrete - Las Vegas

Harrah's Car Collection - Las Vegas

After using Flickr for the past months I dove in to the Pro account. I have been very very pleased with the online storage and editing capability of their site so I thought it was a good investment going forward. So I think I will most likely have the majority of the pictures hosted through them from now on.

I am very serious about the time thing though, I am not sure if I just need to better organize my time or if I have way too much on the go but as I try to get much done I am running out of time daily. I am getting things done, but seem to be adding more and more to the plate all the time. Ah well at least it is good stuff being added.

I am enjoying this book recommended by a good friend in Prince , the book is called "A Short History of Progress" By Ronald Wright and is part of the CBC Massey lectures 2004 series, a great overview can be found here. I love these kinds of thought-provoking books, ones that you have a tendency of reviewing again and again (either through your head or by picking up the actual book and re-reading chapters). I do now wonder about the other lecture series books, wondering if they will also attract me as strongly as this book did. It is just one of the books that forces you to re look at our past and present, and to clearly reassess the defining moments of our race as well as those that have continually brought each great "civilizations" both to power and eventually to destruction. It forces you to apply those same presets in action to the future by seeing the patterns in our past. I very very good read I would recommend to anyone who likes to think through a book.

EOF - LC

Our Las Vegas Pictures

2006-02-13T05:33:00.000-08:00

As promised here is the first batch of pictures we took while in Vegas last month.

Click here

I have seperated them into three different groups, General (this first load), World Of Concrete and Harrahs. I have tried to whittle them down a bit, do not want to appear to be like the guy who comes back from from vacation and force feeds his friends with a 4 hour slide show. ;-)

Hope you enjoy some of these, there were some interesting shots, but of course that is the way Vegas has been designed I beleive. The ones of Paris, are very deciving.

EOF - LC

Heat wonderful heat!

2006-02-12T08:20:00.000-08:00

Just a quick update here as we have company. We have spent the last little while completing one major project for our house and I wanted to share with you all. Especially with those of you who like to see what improvements we are working on. You know who you are! ;-)

Pictures of the complete project here - BlazeKing

It is so very nice to get rid of the old fireplace. It was very inefficient, expensive in fuel and really looked it's age. The new wood stove is fantastic. We ran it for the first time last night and awoke to a very warm house. It ran all night on a partial load, and then I added a couple of logs this morning at 5. I am sitting in the room the furthest from the living room and can feel the heat even in here. The face and pad that Joe put in, with his two helpers (Me and Margaret) adds a very nice touch to our living room and will accentuate the tile we install very nicely. I really like the choice of Brick that we choose, called Newcastle used, it is so much nicer than the old brick that was in there.

Added note I spent quite a bit of time editing, separating and sorting the Las Vegas pictures out and will get them uploaded tonight with an additional post to the blog. Please stay tuned.

One other tidbit, I was sent this supposedly used to test reaction and thought process of pilots in the military. 18 Seconds is fantastic but they are expected to handle it for two full minutes, RedSquare. Good luck.

EOF - LC

Last day.

2006-01-19T12:54:00.000-08:00

Well it's here already. Last few hours in Vegas. Our plane is out of here at 18:45 so we have to be at the Airport by 4PM. Then a short two hour flight and we are back in Vancouver, we will not make it back to Victoria until tomorrow morning due to the ferry schedule. We have had a lot of fun here, the weather has been great. Some of the prices here are crazy though, pretty much dollar for dollar. Starbucks for instance is the same price, except in American Dollars. Most of the fast food places are the same or more than what you would pay there. You really have to shop around to get the best value for your money.

We went to Freemont Street last night, took in the prime rib dinner down there. It was a awesome dinner. We also caught the light show on Freemont too. Very cool and I hope the pictures turn out. I found a Micro Brewery down there, was really nice to have a home brew with some body. I have been getting spoiled though drinking mostly Corona or Heinikens hey for $1.75 not too hard to do.

They really need to address the smoking thing down here, everything stinks of cigarettes. We are so used to not having to breathe that in or to smell it. Really gets on the nerves sometimes.

One last thing price of pop or water is outrageous! Cheaper to drink beer, yes terrible isn't it. Kiosk is running out so better sign off.

EOF~LC

Hello from the Strip!

2006-01-18T09:44:00.000-08:00

OK Technically our Fourth day here in Las Vegas. Having a great time! Weather is down to about 1-2 degrees at night but over 16 during the day. Bright blue skies, something I have really missed at home with all the rain and grey clouds. I have been taking pictures left and right and should have a lot of great snaps to share. We have been walking between 10 and 12 hours a day and my legs feel like they have been beat by a bat. It will be a good start to getting back into the routine and losing this excess weight off my gut. We went for the banquet in Circus Circus on Monday night, unbelievable spread. The quality of food was top notch, yes we all ate too much and soon all headed off to our individual rooms to sleep. I don't know how anyone would gain weight here though. We went down the strip last night to the Luxlor and walked back checking all the casinos out. Speaking of, you are looking at a Big winner. Ok only in nickels.. LOL $27.20 in a nickel slot.

EOF- LC

YVR

2006-01-15T09:59:00.000-08:00

Hello thought since the opportunity presented itself. the quick and cheap Airport Kiosk $1/10 Minutes ... very handy....

A quick update from YVR (Vancouver International Airport)

Awaiting the arrival of the family From Terrace. Should be here at 11:45. Check in by 12:15... Depart at 14:15..... Awesome.

More to come...

EOF ~ LC

A short update - for a change

2006-01-14T17:29:00.000-08:00

Woo Hoo!! Less than 24 hours until we touch down in "Lost Wages"! The City of Sin, The Adult Disneyland... Yes folks Elvi-ville, Official home of the flying Elvi! maybe the only place that will have them?

Man it's been so long since I have had break, some time away. So looking forward to it.

Flying out tomorrow from YVR on a Philippine Airlines Airbus A340-300. No! it is a direct flight and does not go via Manila ;-). I have never been on an Airbus before so it should be a fun experience as well.
Picked up a new 1GB flashcard for the camera so going to take a hoard of Pictures, may be posting some of them from Vegas, but at the very least I hope to update the blog from a Kiosk.

Anyways gotta keep this short - no false advertising.

EOF - LC