a pixel pusher's personal blog...

Fritzi is here...

2009-06-28T14:51:00.000-07:00

... what a trip!
I let him tell it:

Let's go to bed, it's 2:30 in the morning!

There is another dog here! In the bedroom...

I've seen him!

Is he scared of me?

Kind of cute...

Where am I? Sooooo many new smells!

Fritzi here. Gosh that was a long trip. Where am I? What am I supposed to think at 11:30 at night when I was taken out of my nice van and put into a strange car? I found a cookie on the seat, and I nibbled on it, but was too tired, confused, and scared to do much else than tuck myself quietly into a corner, and, do you believe it, slept.

My new mommy didn't let me sulk for too long after we arrived at her (strange) place at 12:45 am. It was pitch dark with strange noises, was that water? We walked around in the grass until I finally clued in that I was to pee and poop before we could go inside. I felt safest to just velcro myself to the new mommy at her heels, and when she sat down for a bit and gave me the monkey to play with, I felt a lot better.

Can you believe it? She let me sleep on her bed. I was worried that I would have to sleep in that crate I saw, but I could snuggle against her on the bed. It got to be 2:30 am until she finally turned off the light. We both slept until 11:00 am. Got up, went outside, had some food and water, went for a little walk. But I?ve decided to take it slow. There is so much I?ve never smelled, seen, or heard before; it?s little scary, but my mommy sais, it?s not scary, it?s a new adventure.

Did you know she has another dog here? I saw it, it?s in the bedroom and stays there.

That?s it, I am taking a nap now. I?ll write again soon.

WASPS!

2009-06-26T17:21:00.000-07:00

... in the box!
Don't knock those boxes off the dresser in the shed... the wasps won't like it.

#1 Pest Control, Rick Feller, the best bug guy around, was here twice to do his deed, but still, I didn't want to get too close, the blooming bush close by was still buzzing.
That's it, I am getting rid of all those 'just-in-case' things that invite this kinds of construction... :-)

Fritzi arrives on Sunday...

2009-06-25T11:15:00.000-07:00

... Yippee!
Just called Yvette of Turtle Gardens to ask when we can expect Fritzi. They are so busy there, I was reluctant to push. Well, Fritzi will be on his way tomorrow, together with a few of his friends, driven to Mission first and then to Nanaimo on Sunday. The trip is 14 hours! Holy cow, that's a long way to go every time to deliver dogs in and around BC.

They travel at night, so the dogs sleep in the van, and by the time they get to their destination they are seasoned car travellers.

There will be pictures! Lots of them.

A gathering of eagles...

2009-06-09T22:39:00.000-07:00

... a drama at the beach! A heron is being attacked.

Today I wished I had a better camera and was a better photographer.

This morning three young egles flew across my yard chasing each other. Their wing span filled my window. I couldn't believe it, they were so close.

Then I looked to the water and noticed a huge gathering of a few mature and many young eagles on a sand bank. Every once in a while some young eagles seemed to pick on each other and, "swoop", in comes mom or dad from a tree on the beach.

At least that's what I thought they were doing, squabbling, but when I looked closer at one of the pictures I took, I noticed that the eagles were all ganging up on a young heron. The bird was clearly already injured, collapsed in the sand. There was a lot of flying and screeching going on. I counted 12, another neighbour counted 18 eagles earlier in the morning.

I think these eagles were in predator training, the mature ones stayed back and only once in a while seemed to instruct the youngsters. After an hour most had left, only three small one sat in the sand, exhausted from all that learning. I didn't see the heron anymore, except a few steps away its family looked on.

Deer, be afraid...

2009-05-31T15:25:00.000-07:00

... be very afraid!

You are not afraid of me, or visitors, or cameras, or car door slamming... but, you wait!

Attack puppy Fritzi is coming soon!

Can't wait!

We are expecting...

2009-05-14T17:03:00.000-07:00

... Gabriel!

The 'we' is my friend Marilyn and I. Gabriel is a rescued dog currently residing at the Turtle Gardens Animal Rescue in BC. Interesting Blog that. Yvette writes about her dogs, some of the harrowing experiences some had to go through before they were rescued, their life now. I don't know Yvette, but her writing shows that she really knows dogs and that her organization has met a need and is truly a labour of love.

I've been looking for a dog to keep me company for a while now. Spent hours online. I wanted a small dog that needed a good home, one without too much 'baggage', didn't want a pure bred puppy. There are a few adoption places I contacted and even looked at a dog here in the Comox Valley, but nothing 'spoke' to me. A little dog at Victoria Adoptables may have been the one for me, but the vibe I've gotten from the communication with that rescue, didn't feel right. Mind you, they are only one year old.

Then I started asking around locally. At WAGZ, a natural food store for pets in Courtenay BC, a lady wrote down a list of rescue shelters and on top was Turtle Gardens. There I found Gabriel. I called the shelter and talked to Yvette. She took the time to explain where the dogs come from, how they run their shelter and the adoption process, told me some details about Gabriel, and it all fell into place for me. Yvette and her family have done this rescue thing for over 20 years! They should know a thing or two about finding the right people for their dogs.

My application to adopt Gabriel is still pending. My home has not yet been inspected, but with a bit of time I hope to be the proud owner of a little white dog.

Gabriel... Gabe... Babe... Fritzi...
Don't know if Gabriel is going to stick.

What do you think?

Demo F18...

2009-04-23T12:10:00.000-07:00

...doing its dance in Kye Bay.
Busy airport. After the Snowbirds did their thing, this plane took off. I knew that it was a fighter jet and expected it to leave... but no, it did acrobatics right over my back yard. The house shook, but what agility, grace, power and speed. Cold Lake provided the lovely paint job, I was told, and we got a free air show.

Would I get to see these performances if I were still working at a day job? Noooooooooo! :-)

The Eagle and the Snowbirds

2009-04-11T16:37:00.000-07:00

...soar at different altitudes.

On March 20th: I am out of there... on vacation. GONE!
On April 1: Officially retired. but not... Working at what I want, how I want, with the people I want. BLISS!

Now the Snowbirds are back frolicking in my back yard. An eagle soared overhead, not bothered at all by the noise above and people below.

Cool still, but a lovely crisp day. Here's a clip.

It's 4 am in Basel...

2009-03-01T19:22:00.000-08:00

... Morgestraich!

The city lights go out at 4 am sharp. From the many small alleys and larger side streets cliques of masked drummers and fifer's march towards the Market Square in Basel. Each clique is lead by a huge lantern that shows this year's motif. Read about this incredible event: Fasnacht in Basel.

It's three days, of madness, pageantry, colour, tradition, fun. I'm watching this from here and my eyes tear up... Homesick. I want to be there so badly.

Live cams are sprinkled throughout the downtown core. For the next 3 days and nights these cameras will record the event.
I'll be watching!

Today's World-Wide Woes...

2009-02-22T10:08:00.000-08:00

... others warned us!

"Excess generally causes reaction, and produces a change in the opposite direction, whether it be in the seasons, or in individuals, or in governments."

"Excess of liberty, whether it lies in state or individuals, seems only to pass into excess of slavery." Plato (427 - 347 BC)

"Strategy without tactics is the slowest route to victory. Tactics without strategy is the noise before defeat." Sun Tzu (400 - 320 BC)

"Success is not final, failure is not fatal: it is the courage to continue that counts." Winston Churchill (1874 - 1965)

"Nothing but a fiery ordeal, out of which humanity will emerge, chastened and prepared, can succeed in implanting that sense of responsibility which the leaders of a newborn age must arise to shoulder?" Bah�'u'll�h (1817 - 1892)

Passport Saga...

2009-02-07T12:59:00.000-08:00

... continued!

So, Sylvia rushed my passport to the Airport. Time's of the essence. She drives her sleek Miata and is, well, in a rush! With the airport in sight a police car facing her, turned on the lights, and motioned her to stop. (There's never police on that road.)

Did I say that Sylvia was in a hurry, on a mission?

She slowed down, rolled down her window and yelled at the officer across the street "This is an emergency, I am going to the airport, follow me, I can't stop!" With gritted teeth she drove at speed limit to the airport, followed by the cruiser and got out of the car. The officer tried to stop her again, asking her for her driver's license. Sylvia said "I'll show you my license when I get back", ran into the terminal, found the CMA crew waiting for her and gave them the envelope. The crew wanted to help her with the police, but were scheduled to leave. Some other people overheard and trailed her back to the car to show support.

When Sylvia got back to her car she finally explained to the officer what had happened. She did a great job of it, because the officer reduced the ticket to an amount that I can manage. You didn't think I would leave my quick-witted friend hanging, did you?

Don't leave for the USA...

2009-02-04T19:10:00.000-08:00

... without your passport!

This is a neighbourhood story and one about that type of service we thought we'd lost.

Marilyn had the brilliant idea that one can scan the passport, save it on the USB stick as a password protected file, in case you loose your passport. Did that--good idea--and I left my passport in the scanner...

Yet, I was so organized, all the papers together, was ready for pickup, arrived in Vancouver, had breakfast, talked to some friends on the prepaid cell phone I rarely use, and decided to check in about 2 hrs 15 miniutes before departure for my flight to Denver, Co. Right away I needed the passport number for the customs form and voila, NO PASSPORT.

PANIC!!!

How could I be so stupid? So, I creep back to Comox and go to work? Geez, nooooo! The United Agent asked a few questions and had an idea. He checked and found that a CMA flight was about to leave in 30 minutes from Comox and suggested that perhaps they would bring me my passport. What the heck, can't loose to try. Time's tight, very tight.

I called neighbours, Marilyn, then Bob, no luck, then Sylvia. She's home. She got my passport out of the scanner while I walked to CMA to ask if they would bring the passport if it were delivered to the airport. Yes they would. Sylvia rushed to the airport, gave them the passport, I waited 45 minutes and had it in my hands. From the time I walked away from the United counter to the time I got back there 1 hour 10 minutes has passed!

I made the flight in good time and I am here. Amazing eh? Sylvia, I owe you BIG TIME. And United and CMA, I owe you a letter of thanks! And yes, the cell phone paid for itself several times over.

Great conference too.

41 Days...

2009-01-22T15:42:00.001-08:00

... to go!

Can't wait till April 1...

Tick - Tock ...

2009-01-06T22:16:00.000-08:00

... snow's melting, time's flying!

April 1, 2009 coming soon.

Why would you put socks OVER your boots?

2008-12-20T15:38:00.001-08:00

... you won't slip on ice!

It's freezing here. Way below 0. The carport has drifting snow and ice underneath it. A couple of days ago I slipped and fell, like a cartoon, in a split second I was on my bum. I was lucky, I didn't hit my head, but I strained my neck muscles. Didn't notice that until I lay in bed and wanted to sit up, my head was too heavy, I had to help it up with my hands. Weird.

Lesson 1): If ou are building a house with a carport, don't have polished concrete, it's slippery under nearly all conditions, unless it's dry, and that is unlikely 80% of the time when you live here.

Another bad storm is predicted. Snow, freezing rain, freezing temparatures. Yay, perhaps a snow day on Monday :-) - but also more snow/ice in the carport. I had to get to the wood pile and stack some wood closer to the door. A storm is predicted, be ready for power outages.

Sandra, you gave me some hand-knitted socks a few years ago for Christmas, remember. Such a thoughful gift, and they are HUGE. Turns out, they fit perfectly over the boots. I heard this advice a very long time ago - put socks over your boots and you won't slip. Today I finally put it to the test. IT WORKS!

I could get two cart loads of wood to the door, get the snow shovel out of the shed, defrost the outside faussets and insulate them. I did everything slowly, but I didn't slip on the ice. Now, if those socks were made of wool, they would work even better, wool fibers stick better. But who 's complaining...

Why, you ask, are you not using salt on the ice? Can't, first the salt is frozen into a huge clump, and second, salt eats into the concrete and starts breaking it down... Using socks is cheaper in the long run.

Lesson 2): Buy the biggest, roughest wool socks you can find and keep them handy in winter. They may work for short distances when worn over street shoes too.

This is PHOTOGRAPHY!

2008-10-18T20:23:00.000-07:00

... incredibly beautiful.

Roger Horrocks is a freelance photographer specialising in environmental and underwater photography for news, editorial, and more...

Worth spending time on this site. Underwater photograpy in different parts of the world. Imagine, pictures of crocodiles under water. Scary, fascinating.

All of a sudden...

2008-10-05T21:09:00.000-07:00

... it's Fall!

This is Fall...

This is Fall too... Weird, but I love it!

Oh, by the way... Want to get a glimpse at what a Bah�'� is? I am one, but perhaps you want to know a little more, some facts?

Snack Attack...

2008-07-20T17:51:00.000-07:00

... in my front yard!

"Don't look at me like that... you have a different diet, leave me to mine."

"If I stay really still, perhaps she won't see me..."

"Anyway, you are doing your thing, and I am doing mine. Live and let live, you know?"

"We are really doing a service here, keep the bushes trimmed."

"Hey bud, I am leaving... Catch up with me later?"

Those bushes must be health food for those critters, they look sleek and toned, don't you think? They are also fearless. I was going back and forth, cleaning the BBQ, slamming the door, moving around and didn't notice them sneak into the yard to get their preferred snack. A friend who dropped by in his car didn't phase them either.

But hey, Charlotte, it's not the guy who pruned the bushes who did it wrong. It's the deer that sculpt them to their weird shape. Oh, well, nice sunny summer day--live and let live...

Flu Season...

2008-05-01T18:16:00.000-07:00

... nasty, nasty!

The deer couldn't care less.

This flu I've got knocked me to my knees. I can't remember the last time I felt that sick. But... things are looking up. I've not coughed in a quarter of an hour. Got some antibiotics today and I think I'll be able to sleep tonight.

Besides that... my new deck has been poured and I was here to 'supervise'. It looks great. Next week: Monday, Tuesday, Wednesday, Vacation!!! Are you ready Switzerland?

Living in my head...

2008-04-06T17:22:00.000-07:00

... is not necessarily good.

I have a lot going on in my head. All the time. Arguments, laughter, plays, speculation, ideas, work plans ... my mind is a stage. I thought this was a good thing. I am good company to myself, and don't need to be surrounded by people to be quite content, occupied and happy. But I can learn a lot from this book:

The Power of Now, by Eckhart Tolle

A friend gave me this book and it makes many things I already knew clearer and teaches a lot I didn't know. I know it'll improve my life tremendously.

I keep thinking of the sage advice in this book as I am looking out my window at the ever-changing ocean, the changing tides, the birds, the seals, the serenity of the moment. That's when I am in the Now. While waiting for vacations, or some large project to start, or worrying about financial security, I am not living in the now. I know that now, but, boy, it's difficult to change the noise in your head!

This is the book for me and I can think of several of my friends who could benefit of it. Meantime I am staying in the now as best as I can -- that is -- I'm sneezing, coughing, woolly-headed, flu-ridden, miserable... but in the now...

Now, that's life! :-)

Nuns Don't Cry...

2008-03-14T21:31:00.000-07:00

... a worthwhile read!

I've met the author first. Only a month ago. Gerrie Graber is a fascinating woman. A rare sort, she instantly mesmerized me with her personality, intelligence, focus and exhuberance. I've met perhaps 4 or 5 woman in my life who have this 'je ne sait quois' that draws people to them like moths. Gerrie is one of them. We hit it off right away and when I asked that inevitable question: Why did you leave the convent? she pulled out her book and loaned to me.

Read it, it's worth it. Of course I'll buy my own copy and have Gerrie sign it for me. Read an excerpt.

If you are my age you may remember "The Nun's Story". Either the book, the movie or both. It is one of my favourite stories. It made a huge impression on me. It made me question the validity of a faith that asks such sacrifice from people to prove their faith, all of it judged and interpreted by humans... Where was God in this? Strange how life is. The former nun as well as I, in vastly different ways, have found a faith that doesn't have the many levels of interpreters who stand in the way of truth and light.

Words...

2007-12-30T12:13:00.000-08:00

... that set my teeth on edge!

"Issues" - a word widely used by Psycho Babblers. Today, everyone has 'issues', not problems. Some also use "challenge", it's also used by Psycho Babblers. What's the problem with the word "problem"? Problem goes to the heart of the matter. I like precision. Search these words on Thesaurus.com. Look at the synonyms... I rest my case.
"Unleash" - a word widely used by Marketing Babblers. "Unleash your creativity/potential/power!"... I've see this five times today, always attached to a product you should buy to do the unlashing. When does the unleashing occur? After you paid for the product, installed the product, learned how to use the product? Does it take hours, days or years to get to the unleashing? What if your creativity/potential/power never was on a leash and took off on its own, do you get a refund?
"f*&^k" - a word widely used by Illiterate Babblers. It must be illiterate babblers who use this word and a few choice similar ones in every sentense. Perhaps they could benefit of a few minutes on dictionary.com to learn the meaning of this word and in the process learn a few new words. But, of course, they would have to be able to read.
"Penis" - a word widely used and frequently misspelled on purpose by Spammer Babblers. It's not the word that bugs me here it's the 50 or so spam messages I get per day that flog miracle products that enhance its physical attributes. Hey, spammers, I don't have one of those. And I was not aware that the male gender had such embarrassing 'challenges' these days. In my day this wasn't an 'issue'.

Good bye 2007 - Hello 2008! Best wishes to all!

The Book "World Without End"...

2007-12-19T14:07:00.000-08:00

... has one!

Ken Follet has done it again. The biggest marvellous surprise a few years ago was his gripping, absorbing book set in the 12th century, "Pillars of the Earth". A total departure from his other genre, high adventure, suspenseful stories, none of which can easily be put down when you start reading them.

I am reading "World Without End" and am at page 761. Already I regret that this book only has 1014 pages! It is by far one of the best books I've read in a very long time. It might replace James Clavell's Shogun as my all-time favourite, or at least dwell beside it, sharing that spot.

After The Snow...

2007-12-03T12:55:00.000-08:00

... a rainbow!

The Snow Is Up To Here...

2007-12-02T14:22:00.000-08:00

... No worries, I've got a Subaru!

It's been snowing for two days solid. Started early December 1 and hasn't stopped. I measured it, 32 cm here at sea level, it must be 50 cm by the College, or more.

So, I started fretting. I am not about to shovel snow, it's not my style at all, but, I don't want to be stuck either.

What to do? If I get stuck in the driveway, I won't have a long walk to the house. If the car makes it to the plowed road, then I won't be stuck. Try the Subaru in these conditions, if it makes it out, I've got the right car.

So, boots on, jacket on, mittens on, keys, go. The bottom of the car dragged on the snow, but no problem getting out, even through the snow bank the plow made... SUBARU Forester, I LOVE YOU!

Hey, I am still hoping for a snow day off tomorrow...