Lets Paws to Remember our Veteran(arians).

What's the Deal?

Tonight is the second Saturday Night this month which doesn't feature a Toronto Maple Leafs game... since when do the schedule makers think of themselves as gods and try this kind of crap?!? I can harldy remember a saturday night without a leaf game for years, and they decide this month to do it twice! What am I supposed to do with my time? Pay attention to my family... ? spose so.

Slurpee Conditions: Christmas Day Edition

As of 10:01pm on Dec 25th, 2008, The Slurpee conditions are:

Wonderful, but only because it's Christmas... I'll overlook the fact that the cola based offerings were dead watery...  Orange cream was a good choice despite the less than favourable selection.  As always, Slurpucinno is untouched and in perfect shape for whatever unsuspecting victim that may stumble upon it.  

Have a Merry Christmas and remember to check back often for your Official Slurpee Condition Reports, spanning the province since 1994!  Jooje is a Cat.

Season's Greetings...

Yesterday morning on the way to work, they were playing Christmas music on Faith FM... no big deal, until I hear the old standard - The Christmas Song.  "Chestnuts roasting on an open fire..."A rendition by some chick from Stratford was the one they chose.  It was ok, nothing special -- piano and vocal.  Then I hear something a little different from usual, changing one word.... that just irritated me.  They found it to be to offensive or whatever to say "so I'm offering this simple prayer"... it was changed to "simple wish".  Not only did it not rhyme, or really mean anything in particular... Since when is it ok to alter an old standard song, one word at a time... I suppose we change some hymns to more modern language to be relevant... Is wishing the modern version of prayer?  It didn't even rhyme!  What irks me most is that this is not a 'religious' song... that was the only word remotely religious in there.  Apparently it's not politically correct anymore.  And for the Christian radio station to play it on their morning show and miss that is sad...  Not that I expect a very high level of quality from their morning show, but honestly... 

I wish that you all have a happy holiday dinner and open festive presents and enjoy your holiday eve services the night before you see all the yule gifts under the celebration tree on Dec 25th.

bah humbug.

Happy Holidays

We did Christmas morning for Silas today.  He'll get enough stuff tomorrow morning at grandma's anyway.  It was fun, sitting around listening to Christmas music and opeing gifts. 

Last night,we experienced the first installment of the annual "Fumble to put together presents the night before Christmas" party.  I was up and down the stairs getting different screwdrivers and my drill, trying to get the stupid ride on tractor together... 

When Faith opens her christmas gift from me...

She'll be so happy... this might just happen.  Men be warned, this may hit too close to home.

Trick question... it was a trap!

Ever get a chill and need to stay fashionable?

Lucky for you, there's the SNUGGIE. Now you can stay warm and look like the member of a religious cult... at the same time!

Honestly, i've seen this ad a couple times on TV tonight. Who in their right mind would dress themselves and their loved ones in this thing and go out to watch a baseball game? Who am I to judge.. they look so happy. Maybe that's what I'm missing...Doesn't she look happy?

Being Direct or something...

So somehow I've found myself in the position of Director of a missions organization. I've been involved with Sons of Salvation doing the hockey mission trips to Czech republic for a number of years now. The former director, Jody is moving to CZ to be youth pastor there. That left the opportunity to take the reins and long story short, Faith and I are running the ship now. Weird.

It's been moving pretty fast, but I think we'll manage to keep it afloat. So, if anyone's interested in being involved, i'm your man now.

Tee Hee

Good ol' fun at ManBabies....

GET MORE AT ManBabies.com!

Quiet Week at work...

Over the past year or so, I have been concocting an idea in my head for a trebuchet using old broken computer parts.  This week, with most people away at a conference, it was pretty quiet, so I put it together in the time I had between work. 

Here's some pics... the projectiles I used were some spacers from old 4gig hard drives, one with a paper clip to attach to the arm, the other with a more plyable strand of cat 5e wire.  

Side view of trebuchet, loaded and ready for action.  The counterweight is a collection of magnets from those 4gig hard drives, nice and easy to add/remove weight, stuck to a screw in the end of the pencil.  The base is a hard drive caddy with an old 40gig hard drive, with 2 56k modems as the uprights.  
As can be seen here, I have used a wooden stem cotton swab as the axle, replacing the screw driver I initially used.  I needed the screw driver elsewhere.  I rigged a firing pin using a paper clip and a strand of cat5e ethernet wire attached to the modems. 

Video clip of trebuchet in action... not very clear.  The distance between the 2 benches is about 8 ft, and I consistently hit the same target area in the corner in my test firing.

Serious Business

I would love to have the patience to build one of these contraptions... imagine taking one to work and having a ruber band fight... step it up to the next level... Found this site which prompted me to work on some weaponry of my own. I've been concocting an office trebuchet made of old computer parts for a while now, and got a model working last week... a little lack-luster compared to this.

It's a Windows world, baby!

So, I was at the gas station (Esso - stanley park) the other day to fill up. THE GAS WAS JUST SO CHEAP!!!! I still find it tough to think that 93.5 per litre is CHEAP. Anyways, I wonder to myself: "self, why does it seem so quiet here"... usually I'm being blasted in the ear by the ESSO news screen above the pump. Then I look up to find this wonderful screen!
Apparently, like many things, the screens are computer controlled and this particular one had contracted the lovely BSOD! The imfamous Windows Blue Screen of Death! Gotta Love Windows. Oddly enough, this was Thursday, the same day that Ubuntu Linux released it's newest version. Not that linux is without bugs, but there is no blue screen...
The sad thing is that this is not the first crashed esso pump I have seen... I noticed one in milton back in the summer...

It's coming again.

Brigden Fair

Gotta love the Shootout

I caught up to the score of the leaf game tonight and saw another shootout decision. Gone are the days of the elusive 0-0 tie game seing both goalies earn a shutout after a hard-fought game. Now they make them shoot until someone scores... Why do they keep sending Jason Blake in on the shootout? I hear he hit the post, but normally he just fires it into the goalies stomach... I'd rather see Cujo go in for the shootout...

High Hopes

So, based on last nights performance, the Leafs will be 82-0 this season with Nikolai Kulemin winning the rocket richard and calder trophies with 82 goals... Here comes the cup.

Tiny bubbles...

so, I'm blogging right now from an asus eeepc. this computer is one in the line of ultra mobile pc's, hardly larger than a dvd case. this model runs a custom version of linux called xandros, derived from the growing ubuntu os.

I have to say it's kinda cool, but no where beefy enough to act as my sole computer. it's keys are pretty small and the screen resolution makes most web pages tough to navigate with need for side to side scrolling. it's got a 2 gig ssd for the os, with sd card slot for expansion. the processor is an intel lnow voltage celeron I think, running at somewhere between 575mhz-800mhz. it's got 512 of ram.
Not anything special for specs, but its size is its strength. pretty cool toy for less than $300 retail. Royal bank happens to be giving them away, so I've bartered co worker to try it out.

I'd like something like this to take to Czech Republic this february 13-22. Anyone want to come?

Rost in Trains Lation

I found this translation tool on the web to translate a birthday message for my czech friend. I decided to translate the result back to english to see what I said in Czech. Crazy Results.

Here is an example, a nursery rhyme to test the translation tool.
Old Mother Hubbard
Went to the cupboard
To fetch her poor dog a bone;
But when she came there
The cupboard was bare,
And so the poor dog had none.

When translated to Czech and back, it yields this.

Old Mother Hubbard
Went to the sideboard
To go and fetch her unsubstantial dog a bone ;
Lest when she came about
The sideboard was unclouded ,
PLUS thereabouts the poor dog had none.

I then translated that to Dutch and back... crazy dutch.

Tardy Senior ranking Uproar
Went until the sideboard
Until goes and yield one's unsubstantial share within shank
Lest whenever they came around
The sideboard was unclouded ,
Plus with regard the poor share had nothing.

Now, when the Dutch came back, I put it to French and back.

Belated 4th year static about cabs Commotion
Went until the pad
Until goes and surrender one's unsubstantial quota - parson inside conduit about pipe
Lest whenever they came about
The pad was unclouded
Signe anymore at abidance the flimsy quota - parson had nil.

I guess the only thing that is unclouded is the literal translation of the word unclouded, wherever it came from. Poor unsubstantial dog.

Who wins contests anyways?

So, about a couple weeks ago, I get an email asking me to do a survey regarding leafs tv.  I took the opportunity to let them know I wasn't impressed and wouldn't be subscribing this year. 

 

I got a call today from David from MLSE... the ol Maple Leafs Sports and Entertainment.  Apparently I was entered in a draw to win an autographed Tomas Kaberle Jersey and I was selected... How cool is that?  I never win anything.  Looks like things are shaping up for ol' Gil.  We'll see if it ever arrives.  Booyah!

Party's over...

well, after 4 weeks of parental leave, I return to work tomorrow... It's been a good time. Eva is doing great. I'm glad to get back to work, I think they can't wait to have me back.. Ah well, it was good while it lasted.

SPAM

I got about 130 spams delivered to my in box the other day,  which is crazy... usually one or two make it through the filter per week... then I get my quarantine report today... 9527 messages quarantined this week... I had a Zoolander moment... that seems a little more than usual.

 

Today's Froster Report (TM)

As of 7:45pm at Homer Watson and Bleams Rd, the Froster conditions are:

Excellent. 

 

Strong showing from Barqs Cream Soda with a wonderfully thick Coke on top.  Good job.

 

Maybe it's the eyes?

Silas has been back for a few days now... he likes his baby sister, likes to kiss her repeatedly and likes to shake whatever structure she happens to be in...

You can tell from this picture that he's thinking of doing something bad...

It's a girl!

Evangeline Irena Grace - Born at 12:08am on the 15th weighing in at 7 lbs 2 oz.

Delivery was fast and without complication. We all had some good moments of sleep in the night. Will send pictures when we get home.
Dan and Faith

Thundercats are go!

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Last Call

Not that anything is imminent, but unless there are any better suggestions, we will go with our gut instincts and name the new baby

 

Chevy Chase Grace

 

 

Goal Post

I've read a lot of articles on the internet etc regarding my beloved Leafs and their rebuilding phase. Most of them were calling for them to tear it all down and start from scratch, then the next week, slam them for not signing enough free agents for the upcoming season.
3 things.

(1) Regarding Mats sundin...
I would love to see Mats back in the blue and white. However, I think it's best for him to go elsewhere or retire. Best for the team. They need to tank it in a bad way, and it will be a lot more natural for them to do that with #80 centering the top line rather than Mr Sundin. I really appreciate Mats' contributions to the team and admire his loyalty. I just think at this point, we should start seeing other people.

(2) Regarding Mr McCabe...
I don't feel Bryan was given a fair shake in all this... ever since he scored in his own net in Buffalo last fall, he has been thrown under the bus. I think he's still got a lot left in him, but seems it's too late for him here. At any rate, someone will get him cheap due to the smear campaign thrown at him a la Ray Emery. You should always get rid of a player when they are riding high, not after you convince everyone else that he's not good enough for a rebuilding team. Good luck in wherever Bryan... People can go back to heckeling Antropov.

(3) Regarding additions...
As easy as it would be to wag the accusing Finger at Trader Cliff for overpaying for a FA defenceman, I think Jeff will do just fine here. Apparently he doesn't mind hitting people, which is cool. Niklas Hagman seems like a good pickup, while Jamal Mayers, and the few other weird pickups appear to me to be nothing more than hoarding players to trade later. At least the bulk of the players brought in aren't on the back nine of their careers. Cujo is just a wonderul reminder of days gone by.

Anyways, should be interesting. I am hopeful that they are going to play just well enough to land on the bottom of the pile next spring and get the John Tavares pick. At least they haven't brought in the likes of Phil Housley and Dougie Gilmour to gun for the post season.

Today's Slurpee Conditions (tm)

As of this afternoon at King St S in Kitchener:

 

Very runny.  Again a no show from the cola based slurpees.  Cream soda was quite runny and barely survived the trip home. 

Yesterday's Slurpee Conditions (TM)

As of 1900 hours on August 11, 2008, the conditions at the King St near
victoria 7-eleven are:

Disappointing... decent showing from mountain dew blue and cream soda
(although both runny), but a no show for coke and no effort from the
Pepsi. The shocking lack of cola based slurpees at beckon call shakes
my belief in the slurpee world. Maybe I've given them too much
responsibility.

This is a test

This is a test of the emergency broadcast system. Do not be alarmed, this is only a test.
Thankyou.

Today's Slurpee Conditions

As of 1600 hours at St Clair and Grand in Chatham, Ontario, the slurpee conditions are:

Thick and tasty. Mountain Dew Blue and Pepsi are quite thick considering the hot exterior conditions. Dr Pepper was looking quite under the weather.

Jooje the cat is a registered Slurpee Technician, bringing southern Ontario official slurpee reports when they need them most.

You can go elsewhere for your conditions, but I wouldn't if I were you...

Gardener Arden Grace?

So, whilst thinking up some baby names for the one to come, I stumbled upon a random baby name generator... It comes up with first and middle names and lets you know if they hit the top 100 or 1000 in the US... Some of the ones that came up were:
-Taliessen Remy
-Rylee Sadie
-Rickie Lanna
-Abiela Tzigane


Here opens the door to the Grace Family Baby Name Contest... This is your last chance to offer your spin on the whole "baby name" deal. It is a GIRL, as you can clearly tell from the above suggested names, so think pink.

If your baby name is featured in our Baby's name card at the hospital, you'll win a coffee mug of your choice from our cupboard to go along with a glass of eternal bragging rights, knowing that you made your mark in the baby world without doing any real work.

Today's Slurpee Conditions

As of 2100 hours, from King St near Victoria. the slurpee conditions are:
Cold, wet...

It has been reported that the mountain dew blue has a bit of a funky aftertaste..

Gettin Old...

I spent about an hour and a half installing laminate floor upstairs tonight and now I have a really sore elbow and hand... This stuff seemed to be goin in easier than the last stuff I installed... Ah well... I have 2 rows left to do, the only complications being the register and the closet... hooray for Saturday.

Today's Slurpee Conditions

As of 2100 hours, the conditions in Cambridge are cold and thick with runny cream soda. Refreshing, though...

How's that for original?

Today's Froster Conditions

Macs in Cambridge at around 1200 hours:
A little runny, but delicious nevertheless.


That is all... and yes this is an original idea.

If the women don't find you handsome...

So, Faith bought a dishwasher for her birthday a month ago and it's been in our dining room in the box since. That left me with figuring out how to get it installed. So, I called a plumber and booked a couple days off work to get this done.. We had a dishwasher in our last place and had some cupboard space that was prettymuch useless here.
So, thursday I swung by the mall to pick up a day-labourer (AKA Adam Collins) and underwent the task of removing the cupboards and preparing them for a dishwasher. Between the two of us, we did a pretty sweet job of dismantling the existing cupboard and putting it partially back together as shown to leave a space for the dishwasher and a small space for pans/dishrack etc. We also figured that since the plumber wanted the electrical stuff done before they came, that we could play electrician for a bit and consulted my Home Depot DIY book to figure out how to install a breaker and run electrical line.
The electrical stuff was surprisingly easy and quick, the longest part being the trips to home depot and Crappy-Tire for parts, and parts we forgot the first time... Anyways, Mike the plumber came and hooked it up (WOW am I in the wrong career... gouge $$$) and we have a functioning dishwasher... yippee
Now I'm a bit confident with electrical crap... still don't want to touch plumbing. The margin for error with plumbing is very small.

Seven-11

Faith pointed out the other day that friday was to be the glorious day of 7-11-2008, none other than the birth of 7-eleven. On this day they celebrate by giving anyone and everyone a small slurpee for FREE... just turns out that I either completely miss it or, like yesterday, completely forget it... bugger.

Let me know if you made it ( for those of you who still wander to this blog.)

Happy pride Week

Click HERE

This is a post

I am posting on my blog... I used to do this. Then I forgot how to have the time... Take that CANADA.