So the Birthday is over.
I have to tell you I have a very thoughtful wife. Amy (my wife) thinks that it is ridiculous that I never had any birthday parties growing up. I'm sure there are others out there that will share her sentiments, but it's just something that we never did really, I'm not sure why to be honest but it never really bothered me, perhaps because I never really went to any extravagant birthday parties of my friends...and so I had nothing to be jealous of.
Anyways, I woke up Sunday morning to a plethora of balloons all around me. 27 of them to be exact. Amy had organized them by colour where each colour represented a time of the day that I needed to 'pop' the balloon. Inside of each balloon was some form of gift, or a paper that represented a present that I had to open. It was definitely not something that I expected, but it was pretty fun. For breakfast Amy made me some apple pancakes and then we went to a place that has a driving range (golf)/mini-golf/and go-karts. They had a special on this weekend where you could pay $30 for two people, get 2 medium buckets of balls, a round of mini-golf, and 6 laps each of the track. I was very impressed because Amy had never golfed before so when we went to the range she we open to some tips and actually did quite well for her first time! After that the go-karts were next, I had a pretty fast kart definitely faster than Amy's. I wanted to bump her a little bit, maybe run her off the path and into the tires, but I was feeling nice so I didn't. We finished with the round of mini golf. We opted not to keep score because we were just looking to have fun. Because of this, we ended up doing a full round of mini-golf in about 10 minutes.
When we got home, we had some pizza for dinner and then a couple of drink to wrap up the evening while watching the Survivor season finale. Survivor, now there is a show that I want to be on, if they ever open it up to Canadian contestants I'll be the first one in line to apply.
Today was a very nice day out. We spent the majority of it outside doing chores that needed to get done. I cut most of my 1.75 acres, but left part of it un-touched as the grass wasn't coming in completely. I also put in an order for 8 cubic yards of dirt, it's set to come tomorrow. We have some patching to do, and a fairly large section over our septic bed that needs to be re-seeded because we had it torn up in the fall as a result of an un-even bed. So tomorrow I'll skip my gym session and come home and move some dirt. 64 wheel barrow's worth I anticipate.
Next weekend, I'm thinking I will get a backup sump pump that is battery operated to put my worrying mind to ease. I stress every time the pump runs because if it were to ever fail, I'd have a problem on my hands. And with the recent power outages (luckily none of them were lengthy) it's just a smart move in my eyes.
P.S. New hockey season starts Wednesday. I'm stoked.
Cheers.
Monday, May 18, 2009
Friday, May 15, 2009
Busy Busy!!
So some good news I suppose (depending on how you look at it)....work has been incredibly busy for me as of late.
My job here is to start implementing a product lifecycle management tool, it's like pulling teeth, because there are a lot of senior individuals, that are against change. Rather than use one tool to manage all of the data and be your nucleus, they would much rather use multiple systems, and have multiple sources of data. I'm getting there, but it's a slow process.
Recently the company made a decision to roll out SharePoint here, and found that I have quite a bit of experience with it, so I've really been thrown into that mix now as well. The good news about that however, is that they want to do some custom stuff with it and want me to learn ASP to make an interface that can look into their various sources of data. I'm always up for learning new technology, and it also gives me motivation to do some stuff on the side that I've been thinking about lately.
The one crux to all of this is that now that I have become spread so thin at work...I had to cancel a presentation I was scheduled to do at a conference in Nashville in a couple of weeks. I hate having to pull out of commitments like that at the last second, but if I am going to put myself out there for everyone to see then I will not accept anything less than 110% effort. It is too bad, but I was finding that stressing about it while at work was taking away from actual work that I get paid to do. I am still going to the conference which should be nice since I have not been to Nashville before.
Anyways, a pretty random blog today, but I'm having a random day. This weekend is birthday weekend for me....27 years old...no plans really because I am a very simple fellow and like to keep things relaxed.
Have a good long weekend (in Canada).
My job here is to start implementing a product lifecycle management tool, it's like pulling teeth, because there are a lot of senior individuals, that are against change. Rather than use one tool to manage all of the data and be your nucleus, they would much rather use multiple systems, and have multiple sources of data. I'm getting there, but it's a slow process.
Recently the company made a decision to roll out SharePoint here, and found that I have quite a bit of experience with it, so I've really been thrown into that mix now as well. The good news about that however, is that they want to do some custom stuff with it and want me to learn ASP to make an interface that can look into their various sources of data. I'm always up for learning new technology, and it also gives me motivation to do some stuff on the side that I've been thinking about lately.
The one crux to all of this is that now that I have become spread so thin at work...I had to cancel a presentation I was scheduled to do at a conference in Nashville in a couple of weeks. I hate having to pull out of commitments like that at the last second, but if I am going to put myself out there for everyone to see then I will not accept anything less than 110% effort. It is too bad, but I was finding that stressing about it while at work was taking away from actual work that I get paid to do. I am still going to the conference which should be nice since I have not been to Nashville before.
Anyways, a pretty random blog today, but I'm having a random day. This weekend is birthday weekend for me....27 years old...no plans really because I am a very simple fellow and like to keep things relaxed.
Have a good long weekend (in Canada).
Tuesday, May 5, 2009
Over before it started
Well I think my jogging career has come to an end. I had been running pretty consistantly on the treamill for a good number of months. I then recently took my training outdoors, however running on the pavement and even the shoulder of the road have taken it's toll on my left knee. At the top of my knee where my quad comes down to meet it, there is definitely some inflammation. I am hoping that over time it'll go away, yet I know I am not helping it by playing hockey twice a week/baseball once a week and then training on it on the other days. However all of those other things do not make it hurt like running on it does, and it's something that is new as when I was running a few years ago it never hurt like this.
Perhaps with the advances in sports medicine I should go see someone, but I'm either too lazy to do that, or too scared of the fact that they might tell me to stop doing what I am doing. So I think what I will do is stop running for the summer (as much as that will suck), and start trying to strengthen it. In the interim for cardio I'll ride the bike, use the elipticle, stair stepper, or row.
To be quite honest, I think age is finally catching up with me as lately my back has also been sore. Not enough to put me out of commission, but enough for me to know that it's sore. I am thinking however of getting into some yoga to help that out, as I'm sure it's something I can stretch out.
I refuse to slow down.
Perhaps with the advances in sports medicine I should go see someone, but I'm either too lazy to do that, or too scared of the fact that they might tell me to stop doing what I am doing. So I think what I will do is stop running for the summer (as much as that will suck), and start trying to strengthen it. In the interim for cardio I'll ride the bike, use the elipticle, stair stepper, or row.
To be quite honest, I think age is finally catching up with me as lately my back has also been sore. Not enough to put me out of commission, but enough for me to know that it's sore. I am thinking however of getting into some yoga to help that out, as I'm sure it's something I can stretch out.
I refuse to slow down.
Tuesday, April 21, 2009
Embarrassed!
For the first time in my life, I am embarrassed to be a fan of the Montreal Canadiens.
Not because they are currently down 3-0 to the Boston Bruins. And not because they lost last night once again due to their costly turnovers and weak goal tending.
No I am embarrassed at the lack of respect the Montreal crowd at the Bell Centre displayed during the U.S. national anthem. There is no need or reason to boo the anthem of any country. I was disgusted at the lack of class that was displayed. I can only imagine how the US born players on the Montreal team felt as they heard their own fans boo'ing their native country's anthem.
I honestly apologize to any US citizens who come across my blog, whether you are a hockey fan or not. Whether you saw the game or not. Not all hockey fans are the same and not all supporters of the habs share the sentiments displayed last night. Some people just don't get it, and if I could change them all...I would.
On a side note, I'm also quite irritated at the fact the Montreal fans also boo their own team when things aren't going their way. Boston finished #1 in the East this year, and there is a reason for it. It's not as if the habs players aren't trying to win...and obviously you can't do a better job otherwise you'd be in the NHL yourself so maybe just respect the team that's out on the ice and take the loss with some class.
I'm angry.
Not because they are currently down 3-0 to the Boston Bruins. And not because they lost last night once again due to their costly turnovers and weak goal tending.
No I am embarrassed at the lack of respect the Montreal crowd at the Bell Centre displayed during the U.S. national anthem. There is no need or reason to boo the anthem of any country. I was disgusted at the lack of class that was displayed. I can only imagine how the US born players on the Montreal team felt as they heard their own fans boo'ing their native country's anthem.
I honestly apologize to any US citizens who come across my blog, whether you are a hockey fan or not. Whether you saw the game or not. Not all hockey fans are the same and not all supporters of the habs share the sentiments displayed last night. Some people just don't get it, and if I could change them all...I would.
On a side note, I'm also quite irritated at the fact the Montreal fans also boo their own team when things aren't going their way. Boston finished #1 in the East this year, and there is a reason for it. It's not as if the habs players aren't trying to win...and obviously you can't do a better job otherwise you'd be in the NHL yourself so maybe just respect the team that's out on the ice and take the loss with some class.
I'm angry.
Monday, March 23, 2009
Greg Gutfeld is a Douchebag.
Today on the way to work I heard an interesting story on the radio that made me absolutely livid.
The news story can be read HERE.
In a nutshell though it revolves around Greg Gutfeld who hosts a Fox News (go figure) late night show called "Red Eye". This past weekend on his show, he and his panelists ridiculed the Canadian Army after news that Canada would need a one year break from Afghanistan operations.
Comments such as "the Canadian military wants to take a breather to do some yoga, paint landscapes, run on the beach in gorgeous white capri pants" were thrown around as well as suggestions that soldiers needed the time off for "manicures and pedicures."
Very classy Gutfeld, very classy indeed.
Although these comments are bad, the worst for me was the one that came from one panelist Doug Benson who said "I didn't even know they were in the war. I thought that's where you go if you don't want to fight -- you go chill in Canada."
Absolute ignorance! It honestly makes me sick that these people are even thinking things like this, let alone discussing it on television.
Well Mr. Benson, here's the thing, Canada has a population of 33.5 million. To put that into perspective for you the state of New York has a population of almost 20 million. This population scale carries over to our military sizes. When your military has those types of numbers, and a soldier dies while in combat, it isn't just a number that gets reported back to Canadians. It's usually a front page headline with some young man/woman's picture front and center. As for Canada's involvement in Afghanistan, I direct you to this story.
I'd like the entire panel of "Red Eye" to go to the homes of the family's of the soldiers who lost their lives in Afghanistan and tell them that they didn't even know Canada was in the war. I am sure those families would love to tell you (hopefully show you) exactly how they feel about the comments made on the Fox News program this past weekend. In fact this past week four more Canadian soldiers lost their lives while in combat, I am sure that they would really appreciate knowing exactly how you are honouring their service.
Let's not forget, that while the US was heavily saturated in Iraq, it was other countries in Canada who stepped up and spearheaded things in Afghanistan. Let's not forget, that when the USA was attacked in 2001, Canada stepped up and said that it would fight terror in Afghanistan with the Americans.
I'd really like it if Fox News stepped up and cancelled this show immediately. I've never been a fan of how biased Fox News is with respect to politics, but that's something I expect from any news outlet and so I take it with a grain of salt. However, to continue to promote "Red Eye" in my eyes, is essentially the same as saying that they support the comments that were made by the shows panel this past weekend.
Back in 2001, when I was in the Canadian Army reserve, and the 9/11 attacks happened, I remember reporting in to my regiment and voluntarily placing my name on a list to go over if needed, it never came to that--but what if it had? It's nice to know that this is how my service would have been honoured. I really hope that the sentiments expressed on this program are not shared amongst the entire American population, I really don't.
Shame on you Greg Gutfeld. You are are the epitome of the term "douche bag". But please come to Canada, perhaps we can show you just how much we support your show.
The news story can be read HERE.
In a nutshell though it revolves around Greg Gutfeld who hosts a Fox News (go figure) late night show called "Red Eye". This past weekend on his show, he and his panelists ridiculed the Canadian Army after news that Canada would need a one year break from Afghanistan operations.
Comments such as "the Canadian military wants to take a breather to do some yoga, paint landscapes, run on the beach in gorgeous white capri pants" were thrown around as well as suggestions that soldiers needed the time off for "manicures and pedicures."
Very classy Gutfeld, very classy indeed.
Although these comments are bad, the worst for me was the one that came from one panelist Doug Benson who said "I didn't even know they were in the war. I thought that's where you go if you don't want to fight -- you go chill in Canada."
Absolute ignorance! It honestly makes me sick that these people are even thinking things like this, let alone discussing it on television.
Well Mr. Benson, here's the thing, Canada has a population of 33.5 million. To put that into perspective for you the state of New York has a population of almost 20 million. This population scale carries over to our military sizes. When your military has those types of numbers, and a soldier dies while in combat, it isn't just a number that gets reported back to Canadians. It's usually a front page headline with some young man/woman's picture front and center. As for Canada's involvement in Afghanistan, I direct you to this story.
I'd like the entire panel of "Red Eye" to go to the homes of the family's of the soldiers who lost their lives in Afghanistan and tell them that they didn't even know Canada was in the war. I am sure those families would love to tell you (hopefully show you) exactly how they feel about the comments made on the Fox News program this past weekend. In fact this past week four more Canadian soldiers lost their lives while in combat, I am sure that they would really appreciate knowing exactly how you are honouring their service.
Let's not forget, that while the US was heavily saturated in Iraq, it was other countries in Canada who stepped up and spearheaded things in Afghanistan. Let's not forget, that when the USA was attacked in 2001, Canada stepped up and said that it would fight terror in Afghanistan with the Americans.
I'd really like it if Fox News stepped up and cancelled this show immediately. I've never been a fan of how biased Fox News is with respect to politics, but that's something I expect from any news outlet and so I take it with a grain of salt. However, to continue to promote "Red Eye" in my eyes, is essentially the same as saying that they support the comments that were made by the shows panel this past weekend.
Back in 2001, when I was in the Canadian Army reserve, and the 9/11 attacks happened, I remember reporting in to my regiment and voluntarily placing my name on a list to go over if needed, it never came to that--but what if it had? It's nice to know that this is how my service would have been honoured. I really hope that the sentiments expressed on this program are not shared amongst the entire American population, I really don't.
Shame on you Greg Gutfeld. You are are the epitome of the term "douche bag". But please come to Canada, perhaps we can show you just how much we support your show.
Tuesday, March 10, 2009
Team player...
It's been warming up here in Ottawa the last week or so, and that's got me pretty excited!! At the same time however, I am a bit concerned because I now have to consider how to manage my acre and a 3/4 property with respect to the lawn. Maybe I should just let part of it grow wild...I suppose what I'll do is see how the neighbors tend to their lawns and then go off of that. I am however pretty excited to drive my riding lawn mower around. I was using it with my snow thrower attachment this winter, and loved it, but I'm even more excited to cut the grass with it because it'll be nice weather. I find great peace while driving it around, maybe it's because I can't hear anyone talking to me and can just let my mind escape in thought. Plus, it has a cup holder, so you know a cold one will be going in on a late saturday afternoon while the sausages are on the grill cooking!!
....Unfortunately with spring/summer around the bend, this means at least one of my hockey leagues is almost over. Yesterday was our second last game of the season before playoffs start. We lost 6-4 bringing our losing streak to 5 games. However we played really well I think, and yours truly was excited to snipe one 5-hole (when visiting this link only refer to definition #1, though I laughed pretty good when I read #3). The best part was that I was at a very strange angle in relation to the goalie.
So needless to say I am looking into some summer sports. One of which is definitely soccer. Growing up, when I wasn't allowed to play hockey (travel, costs), I played soccer and it was my favorite sport. The last time I played was 3 years ago, when I was playing for a travel team in the western ontario soccer league. Though it's been 3 years, I haven't really let up on my conditioning and if anything have only improved on it so I think the return will be an easy enough one. Besides, I would just be happy playing at a recreational level.
The one thing I have been wanting to do is play a sport with my wife. A lot of the times I feel bad because she doesn't really have a group activity like I have with sports. She used to be really into figure skating, and even though I play hockey twice a week, when we go public skating, she still skates circles around me and I'm pretty sure she could skate faster backwards than I can forwards. I keep telling her that she should get involved at the instructor level with the younger kids, but maybe she's not that into it. So anyways, I have tried getting her to join a recreational coed hockey league with me, because if she can skate like that, she's miles ahead of alot of people. Anyways it wasn't something she really wanted to entertain, and I knew that I wasn't going to get there out there, if I can't even get her to come out and watch one of my games. Well yesterday after work I swung by the mailbox to pick up the mail. There in my mailbox was a flyer for a local coed recreational softball league. Well needless to say I was excited. I knew that this was one sport she might actually consider, and upon presenting the idea to her she didn't shoot it down, her only concern was whether or not she was good enough.
So I think we will sign up, if anything for the social aspect of it. The two of us are a bit on the shy side. I supress that side of me when it comes to work, but in a recreational setting I wait to be invited to a group rather than seek one out. We are new to the area let alone our small community, so I think this is going to be a great opportunity to grow our friend circle. I just hope I can keep the amount of F-bombs under control while I'm playing. My little hockey mouth will probably earn me some nasty looks.
....In other news, my company laid off quite a few workers last week, it was definitely scary times. So far I'm riding this storm out, but would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous.
....Unfortunately with spring/summer around the bend, this means at least one of my hockey leagues is almost over. Yesterday was our second last game of the season before playoffs start. We lost 6-4 bringing our losing streak to 5 games. However we played really well I think, and yours truly was excited to snipe one 5-hole (when visiting this link only refer to definition #1, though I laughed pretty good when I read #3). The best part was that I was at a very strange angle in relation to the goalie.
So needless to say I am looking into some summer sports. One of which is definitely soccer. Growing up, when I wasn't allowed to play hockey (travel, costs), I played soccer and it was my favorite sport. The last time I played was 3 years ago, when I was playing for a travel team in the western ontario soccer league. Though it's been 3 years, I haven't really let up on my conditioning and if anything have only improved on it so I think the return will be an easy enough one. Besides, I would just be happy playing at a recreational level.
The one thing I have been wanting to do is play a sport with my wife. A lot of the times I feel bad because she doesn't really have a group activity like I have with sports. She used to be really into figure skating, and even though I play hockey twice a week, when we go public skating, she still skates circles around me and I'm pretty sure she could skate faster backwards than I can forwards. I keep telling her that she should get involved at the instructor level with the younger kids, but maybe she's not that into it. So anyways, I have tried getting her to join a recreational coed hockey league with me, because if she can skate like that, she's miles ahead of alot of people. Anyways it wasn't something she really wanted to entertain, and I knew that I wasn't going to get there out there, if I can't even get her to come out and watch one of my games. Well yesterday after work I swung by the mailbox to pick up the mail. There in my mailbox was a flyer for a local coed recreational softball league. Well needless to say I was excited. I knew that this was one sport she might actually consider, and upon presenting the idea to her she didn't shoot it down, her only concern was whether or not she was good enough.
So I think we will sign up, if anything for the social aspect of it. The two of us are a bit on the shy side. I supress that side of me when it comes to work, but in a recreational setting I wait to be invited to a group rather than seek one out. We are new to the area let alone our small community, so I think this is going to be a great opportunity to grow our friend circle. I just hope I can keep the amount of F-bombs under control while I'm playing. My little hockey mouth will probably earn me some nasty looks.
....In other news, my company laid off quite a few workers last week, it was definitely scary times. So far I'm riding this storm out, but would be lying if I said I wasn't nervous.
Tuesday, March 3, 2009
Scrappy McScrapperson..
I finally took the high road.
So yesterday I had hockey again and once again we lost. We are now on a 4 game losing streak and are poised to be in last place come the end of the season...I guess it's a good thing everyone makes the playoffs.
We were in a 1-0 dog fight for most of the game, and within the last minute and a half we pulled the goalie and I jumped out onto the ice. We had some pretty good pressure going but just couldn't seem to capitalize. With only seconds left on the clock I took the puck off of a rebound and put it back on net, the goalie saved it and I then proceeded to my right (his left)...well apparently some clown thought I was going to run his goalie and decided to put his stick between my legs and attempted to give me a can-opener. I knew what he was doing and sold it a bit by pretending I was off balance and giving him an elbow to the head. Next thing I know I have this guy holding on to my jersey by the neck. I didn't touch him or argue with him because there was still time on the clock and a penalty would only hurt us...anyways I ask him "What are you doing?" And he's like "I'll rip your helmet off and fucking kill you", the ref is there between us at this point and is telling us to break it up. Yet, this tooth-less piece of work is still running his mouth despite no resistance coming from me. Finally the ref convinces him that he's acting like a shmuck, especially considering the fact that he's trying to take on a guy that's probably at least 75lb's lighter than himself. We skate away to our benches and the entire time he's still chirping me with his death threats.
On the drive home a few things crossed my mind. 1) If it was just me and him one on one how badly would I actually lose. 2) Why someone at a work recreational hockey game would actually drop a line like "I'll fucking kill you". This person didn't know me, didn't know where in the company I worked. Like what if I was up this guy's food chain at work, how awesome would that be for me? I'd be trying to find any reason whatsoever to can his ass. Maybe that's a bit off of the deep end, but I hold grudge's pretty good. Anyways, today is a new day and I'm over it.
Even though the guy above was bad, the next fellow definitely takes the douche bag award home for the day.
I came across this story this morning.
In a nutshell though, someone decided that his cat was acting a bit too rowdy, so he put the cat inside of this home made bong. People like this honestly make me sick. It's one thing if you are going to smoke marijuana yourself out of some home made bong that has so much duct tape on it that you are putting Red Green to shame. But to trap a defense-less cat inside is beyond cruel. I hope that the law comes down on this guy hard, however because the cat doesn't have any actual damage or effects other than being sleepy chances are that it won't happen. Eitherway I'm glad to read that the cat is going to be okay, and will likely go to a home that won't torture it as if it's being interrogated by the CIA (a story for a different day, but you can read about it HERE).
Please, if you are going to take in a pet, treat it as it's a member of your family.
Cheers.
So yesterday I had hockey again and once again we lost. We are now on a 4 game losing streak and are poised to be in last place come the end of the season...I guess it's a good thing everyone makes the playoffs.
We were in a 1-0 dog fight for most of the game, and within the last minute and a half we pulled the goalie and I jumped out onto the ice. We had some pretty good pressure going but just couldn't seem to capitalize. With only seconds left on the clock I took the puck off of a rebound and put it back on net, the goalie saved it and I then proceeded to my right (his left)...well apparently some clown thought I was going to run his goalie and decided to put his stick between my legs and attempted to give me a can-opener. I knew what he was doing and sold it a bit by pretending I was off balance and giving him an elbow to the head. Next thing I know I have this guy holding on to my jersey by the neck. I didn't touch him or argue with him because there was still time on the clock and a penalty would only hurt us...anyways I ask him "What are you doing?" And he's like "I'll rip your helmet off and fucking kill you", the ref is there between us at this point and is telling us to break it up. Yet, this tooth-less piece of work is still running his mouth despite no resistance coming from me. Finally the ref convinces him that he's acting like a shmuck, especially considering the fact that he's trying to take on a guy that's probably at least 75lb's lighter than himself. We skate away to our benches and the entire time he's still chirping me with his death threats.
On the drive home a few things crossed my mind. 1) If it was just me and him one on one how badly would I actually lose. 2) Why someone at a work recreational hockey game would actually drop a line like "I'll fucking kill you". This person didn't know me, didn't know where in the company I worked. Like what if I was up this guy's food chain at work, how awesome would that be for me? I'd be trying to find any reason whatsoever to can his ass. Maybe that's a bit off of the deep end, but I hold grudge's pretty good. Anyways, today is a new day and I'm over it.
Even though the guy above was bad, the next fellow definitely takes the douche bag award home for the day.
I came across this story this morning.
In a nutshell though, someone decided that his cat was acting a bit too rowdy, so he put the cat inside of this home made bong. People like this honestly make me sick. It's one thing if you are going to smoke marijuana yourself out of some home made bong that has so much duct tape on it that you are putting Red Green to shame. But to trap a defense-less cat inside is beyond cruel. I hope that the law comes down on this guy hard, however because the cat doesn't have any actual damage or effects other than being sleepy chances are that it won't happen. Eitherway I'm glad to read that the cat is going to be okay, and will likely go to a home that won't torture it as if it's being interrogated by the CIA (a story for a different day, but you can read about it HERE).
Please, if you are going to take in a pet, treat it as it's a member of your family.
Cheers.
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