a pixel pusher's personal blog...

Flu Season...

pixeldrummer — Fri, 02 May 2008 01:16:00 +0000

... 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...

pixeldrummer — Mon, 07 Apr 2008 00:22:00 +0000

... 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...

pixeldrummer — Sat, 15 Mar 2008 04:31:00 +0000

... 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...

pixeldrummer — Sun, 30 Dec 2007 20:13:00 +0000

... 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"...

pixeldrummer — Wed, 19 Dec 2007 22:07:00 +0000

... 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...

pixeldrummer — Mon, 03 Dec 2007 20:55:00 +0000

... a rainbow!

The Snow Is Up To Here...

pixeldrummer — Sun, 02 Dec 2007 22:22:00 +0000

... 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...

The STORM...

pixeldrummer — Mon, 19 Nov 2007 20:49:00 +0000

... was fierce!

Last year the wrath of nature was visited on Vancouver and Stanley Park, this year it hit Vancouver Island. At about 3:00 am on November 12, 2007, the lights went out in Kye Bay, and most of the Comox Valley. They didn't come back on (in my half of the bay) until 80 hours later.

Cause? Simple, a tree fell on the lines and on my fence.

There was wide-spread damage and we knew this. It's how the repairs were handled.

Take BC Hydro... Hydro lines on the ground warrant priority service, right? Lines could be live and dangerous... Heard the warnings? "Stay back, half a block, don't get close..."

Several neighbours called Hydro, those warnings were repeated, and every phone call got the same answer... "We are not aware of a problem in your area". We found out soon enough that the line was not live, so everyone walked and drove over it, no other way out.

On the third day I spoke with a hydro tech in his truck about 300 yards from "the problem that didn't exist". He told me that all was fixed here abouts. NOT! Our little corner still had all lines down and no hydro. I actually chased the truck down and told the tech that they missed a downed line... Sorry, now it was shift change.

Called Hydro again... the fourth time! "We are not aware of a problem in your area!". "Stay at least thirty feet away from the line! Have you called the police or fire department?" NO, I AM CALLING YOU AGAIN, BC HYDRO. THE WHOLE NEIGHBOURHOOD CALLED YOU, AND YOU STILL DON'T SEE A PROBLEM IN OUR AREA!

That's when I lost it.

The next day the hydro line was fixed. 80 hours.

Guess what Telus said for the first three time when they were called... "We are not aware of a problem in your area". I am not making this up. My phone works now, a week later, some still don't.

Oh, and did you know that if you use a prepaid cell phone (I have one for emergencies...) and call the numbers locally published in the Telus Yellow Pages to report a problem with a land line, there is no way on earth that you can get through. You are caught in a separate mobility loop, land line numbers are not recognized and at night there is no living person on duty that can direct you. The number to use is: 1 888 611-9988 (in British Columbia) 611 or the 310 numbers won't work.

Well Telus and Hydro, my neighbours and I are now very aware of A HUGE PROBLEM IN YOUR AREA!

It this age discrimination?

pixeldrummer — Sun, 07 Oct 2007 04:16:00 +0000

... if you twist facts enough, it could be.

I've owned Toyota 4Runners during the last 15 years. My 4Runner was 12 years old and I've been thinking of getting a new car for months. Today I did. Everyone I know told me that I should drive the thing into the ground. The mileage was very low, only 139,000 and that I could continue owning the 4Runner for another 10 years, no problems.

That's where the age discrimination comes in. I traded my perfectly good, but old 4Runner today for a younger model, not new, just younger Subaru Forester (2003) Strange how that works. I looked at all sorts of cars, Hunday, Jeep, Kia, and more, all online, all to replace what I already had, and absolutely wanted. 4WD, good road clearance, goes through anything, gets through snow, ice, slush, mud and sits relatively high, reliable... Everything I already had in the Toyota. Yesterday I went to check on a Nissan X-Trail, somebody told me about it.

Why did I come back with a Subaru? I drove two X-Trails, also used, 2005, very nice, 4-cylinder, peppy, high, 2 or 4WD, price sort of right. Drove the Subaru twice too. Once with the Sales guy, once alone. I bought the Subaru because it felt like an old shoe. Very comfortable, stuck to the road, solid, great seats, the pedals just the right tension, reputation, it'll last.

As already mentioned in another post. Secretly I still want a Baby Hummer, yellow. OK, so I'll buy a poster.

ROME... The best I've ever seen!

pixeldrummer — Thu, 27 Sep 2007 01:55:00 +0000

... and I've seen a lot!

ROME is the best series I've ever seen. There were others much earlier, such as Roots, Holocaust... but Rome equals or beats them. When you see this kind of work you can't fathom ever wanting to watch an episode of Survivor, or, heaven forbid, Extreme Makeover, not that I do.

The characters draw you into their lives, the stories are woven into this beautiful tapestry. You can't look a way for a moment, you'd might miss a thread. The scenes are of the time of Cesar, as are the social mores. When you are watching ROME you are there.

HBO has canceled it already. Too expensive they say. I'd rather they'd put their money into one good show than spreading it into a lot of really bad ones. Unfortunately that's what we have, a lot of bad, boring, stupid TV.

So, go rent Seasons I and II, you'll enjoy 20 hours of fabulous TV.

That 60' Fir...

pixeldrummer — Sat, 11 Aug 2007 04:33:00 +0000

... has to come down!

How?

Limb it...
Top it...
Slice it...
Split it...
Stack it...
Clean it...

Here's how...

Got one!

pixeldrummer — Mon, 16 Jul 2007 01:27:00 +0000

... mmmmmh good!

Am getting hungry, time for dinner.

My old car...

pixeldrummer — Sat, 14 Jul 2007 04:20:00 +0000

... is new again!

What I gift I got today. Not only did my good friends offer to fix up the rusting bumpers on my truck, they actually did it... today, Friday the 13th! A good day it was. Now I have absolutely no reason to find a new car, because look at this, not a speck of rust in sight and what R. did is not only cosmetic, it's also stopping the rust.

Thank you R. and A.! THANK YOU!

In my quest for a new car--which I'll no longer pursue--I might have given in to the temptation of buying the car of my dreams. In view of current environmental concerns however, driving a Hummer just wouldn't be politic... I want a canary yellow H3!

New car?

pixeldrummer — Sat, 07 Jul 2007 19:49:00 +0000

... or no new car?

So, I looked at some cars. Tried to. Went on a Sunday, but Sunday's are now closed. Went on the Monday, long weekend, also closed. Those car dealerships must really do well, they are closed when people actually have time to come and look at cars. But I could look at the Kia Sportage from the outside and that was enough to tell me that it's too dinky for me. One down, the Jeep to go.

I've got a Toyota 4Runner, 12 years old.

Then I went to the local Jeep dealer. Am really, really interested in the Jeep Wrangler. They are having a great sale on... Employee pricing... Oh, goodie! Except they don't include the Jeep Wrangler 2 or 4 door, they don't have any in stock, or will get any until next year.

Then I saw a guy in Thrifties' parking lot who had a great, shiny, blue TJ for sale. Big sign in the window. Car's a dream. Owner is a Mechanic... the car is in great shape, 2002, all the gadgets, both tops, soft and hard, seat covers, great fenders, caged lights... on and on. I was so tempted, sooooo tempted. But practicality won. I didn't follow up with it.

R., is taking my car of Friday and will be treating the rusting bumpers, stop the rust, grind the bumpers, paint them black. I'll keep my car for another couple of years. After all it's exactly what I am looking for, it's high, has great road clearance, it's reliable, 4x4, gets through any height of snow, even snow banks... a good thing, because I don't clear my driveway, ever!

You've got to read...

pixeldrummer — Thu, 21 Jun 2007 20:01:00 +0000

... this book!

Prisoner of Tehran, by Marina Nemet. I've tried several times to put it in a couple of simple sentences how much I admire this author and the way she tells her story. I can't. This is the story of a young girl whose grandmother instilled in her a strength and dignity that probably saved her life, at the very least her sanity. The life-changing events she had to experience are so horrific, it would have been understandable if there were rage showing through in the narration, but there isn't. This is a book you've got to read for yourself, no review can do it justice.

After you've read this book, I believe, you'll never read news accounts of events in Iran the same way again.

Sentries...

pixeldrummer — Sun, 10 Jun 2007 18:47:00 +0000

... of the beach.
It's cool and wet... The birds take back the beach!

Do you see the second eagle?

A day on my deck...

pixeldrummer — Sun, 03 Jun 2007 02:24:00 +0000

... restoreth my soul!

Today my first guests of the year arrived. Again, very nice people from Vancouver, building a house here, will be retiring here. They'll stay for 8 nights. Today is also the day when I took the garden furniture out of the storage and then plunked myself into my new Ariondack chair to read.

The sun is out, it's not too warm... Whenever I allow myself to just sit and look at the beach and all activities on it--the people, dogs, birds, kids and the tides slowly moving--and slow my thoughts down with a good book, I can feel the tension drain from my soul. Why don't I do this more often?

I need this! I've been so focused on surviving a toxic work environment, without sinking into a place where I would have to quit for my sanity's sake, that now there has been a resolution, the fight is gone and is leaving a but of a void. Today however... today is the start of the rest of my work life... my soul is on the mend and life is good!

Busy, busy, busy...

pixeldrummer — Tue, 15 May 2007 04:47:00 +0000

... flying in circles!

If I were not home with an eye infection and for some serious reading for work, I would have missed the air show... AWAC, F16 (I think... F18 shake the house, those didn't) and an Aurora, flying in circles, doing touch and go's. One scheduled Central Mountain Air. Fun to watch.

Did I get a lot of work done? Guess!

Wow, I've got a river otter...

pixeldrummer — Sun, 13 May 2007 03:14:00 +0000

... hunting or living (?) under my deck!

A healthy, beautifully slick, young otter. Of course I didn't have my camera at hand, as is usually the case, when I really need it... The black rascal came from under the porch, ran to towards the beach, hesitated and returned, disappearing under the porch. I hope it doesn't have a nest there, because the deck will soon be replaced...

Photo courtesy Rocky Mountain National Park

What about that old stuff?

pixeldrummer — Sat, 12 May 2007 23:17:00 +0000

... it's not at the dump!

In an earlier post I was musing about three old electronic appliances I had, tiny TV/Radio with battery pack, heat writing FAX/phone/answering machine, Toshiba CT300, notebook computer with docking station... I just can't throw them out!

I kept the fax, a friend who visited here recently needed to send a fax (not email), a form with signature, overseas. So, I unpacked the fax machine, plugged it in, turned it on, sent the fax, disconnected and voila, task accomplished.

The Toshiba notebook went to a 12 year old kid. His parents don't want him on the internet, he wants to play games... I left Office 97 on the machine, cleaned it all off, and the kid is in heaven!

The tiny TV is still here. I'll keep it a little longer. Perhaps I'll find a place where a good radio and occasional black/white TV program breaks up the day, such as at that busy farm stand that provides field-fresh goodies all summer long.

Time to clean the BBQ!

A Decision Finally Made...

pixeldrummer — Mon, 09 Apr 2007 22:42:00 +0000

...Yesterday I became a Bah�'i.

As a Bah�'i I follow a World Religion, a belief that has steadily settled into my soul after working for 6 years on a multimedia project about Bah�'u'll�h's life. And after a total of nearly 10 years of shorter and longer conversations with Bah�'i friends--who patiently answered my questions and never, never pushed me in any way--I came to the realization that the story of this man and his message are for me an undeniable truth that could not be changed or argued away.

I know that my friends and family who may read this have puzzled expressions on their faces... Don't worry, I am the same today as I was yesterday. I don't have to be rescued from any handlers, am not in a cult, or have to be 'deprogrammed'. It's really quite simple, I have no doubt that Bah�'u'll�h is who he sais he is, and I've finally put my signature where my belief is. Be happy for me.

But it still works!

pixeldrummer — Tue, 27 Mar 2007 04:16:00 +0000

... But it's soooo old!

I've got this tiny black and white TV (8 inch screen)/Radio, it has a removable base that holds 8 large batteries. It doesn't have the capacity for many channels, has a little transformer to attach it to cable, has an antenna to work without cable. In TV years it's an antique, at least 20 years old, but... it still works! It's been standing around in various places in my office, taking up space. I've put it into a box marked for the dump a dozen times, have even offered it to a neighbour's boy, but I guess they don't tinker anymore with stuff, take it apart... you know. He has a colour TV in his room. Sorry, shouldn't have asked.

Then, there is the Panasonic Fax/Phone/Answering machine. Highly programmable. Had one of the best user manuals I've ever seen, also phone support at a time when that was not yet so in demand. That thing, being a heat fax, is also ancient and I can't read the faxes I receive anymore, but... the rest works fine. I can send faxes, use it as a phone, use it as an answering machine. It is in a box marked for the dump... yet...

That brings me to the Toshiba 300CT notebook computer with docking station and portable ports extension bar, external floppy disk, with two USB ports. About 12 years ago someone bought the top of the line, latest, greatest, with all equipment and accessories that were available, must have cost $4000. This notebook computer is also venerably old. Bought it used, the screen rocks, very clear, famous (then) Toshiba quality. (Wouldn't buy a Toshiba today, the quality sucks). It also works. Runs Win 98. But I don't think the grand total of 32 MB of RAM allows me to connect to my router, actually it blue-screens as soon as I try using the network. But it works... yet...

So, OK, I've put them in all the box, marked for the dump... Ebay perhaps? No, not worth the hassle... The dump it is... soon.

To put this into perspective, I've written this post on my new VAIO SZ320, a long way better than the old Toshiba. If I use it and take care of it like I did with the stuff I've marked for the dump... gosh, it'll last forever and then, in 20 years I'll have to make that decision all over again. :-)

Wireless...

pixeldrummer — Mon, 05 Mar 2007 04:10:00 +0000

Finally!

Am having my feet up watching a movie on TV, I don't know what it is, so I'll look it up online... without getting up. Varian's War is the movie, Sony VAIO SZ series is the vehicle. OK, next time I'll spend the money on a ticket to Switzerland... and I'll bring my VAIO with me. What a sweet little computer! ;-)

Happy New Year!

pixeldrummer — Mon, 01 Jan 2007 00:54:00 +0000

It's only 5 pm here, so we are still a year behind, but most of those I love in my world are already living in 2007. So, Happy New Year to you!

My horoscope is so promising for next year that I am confident that my innermost wishes where my work is concerned will come true... Beware, when I focus on something, I FOCUS on it with lasers!

Let it be a healthy, happy, productive and all-round good year for all!

It's been a wild ride...

pixeldrummer — Sat, 16 Dec 2006 23:04:00 +0000

... but we've got sewer and city water!

Usuallly I love winter. Winter beach, few people, lots of birds, no pressure to be out-doorsy in the never-ending, drying, hot sun. I like puttering inside, working or playing on my computer, taking art shots with my camera, reading, sitting in front of the fire, hanging out.

The last two/three weeks were different! The never-ending sun finally packed it in. We had very low temparatures, a big dump of snow, that made icey, risky roads, followed by three hurricane strength wind storms in 5 days, now low temparatures again and a snow storm. The College was closed for 3.5 days in total. The last wind storm passed us by here, but wreaked havoc in Victoria and Vancouver, a lot of damage, trees falling on houses like match sticks, some very large... When I look at my trees I get a little squeazy, one of those babies would cut my house in half.

Together with these weather bombs, there were power outages. We had several. Regularly, and long enough to spoil the food in the freezer (over 24 hrs). Am well equipped though. A couple of ragular torches, one Coleman lead lights latern on batteries, one tripod/torch with tiltable head, also lead lights. Those are the ones I use most often. I use IKEA white candles, they last a very long time, very slow burning, they don't drip. Gotta get some more.

The piece de resistance is my gas ring in a carry case. Made in Korea, it's a full-sized gas ring that is fuelled with butane canisters the size of a spray can. You can cook with it, or make hot beverages. You can get one for around $20 at Canadian Tire, it's worth it! So, with a fire place, a wood stove, a gas ring, plenty of lights and candles, a few good books, and a double quilt on my bed, any power outage is no hardship.

It would have been different and horrible 4 years ago when we still relied on wells, electric water pumps and septic tank... The money we paid to get city sewage and waters service installed is now paying off in spades! I wonder if those nay-sayers, who faught tooth and nail against this installation, still want their wells and septic back, as they showered, brushed their teeth, washed their dishes and flushed their toilets while the lights were out?