Archive: August 2007

I have decided to put a number of my photos on webshots for your viewing pleasure.

Using webshots saves me disk space and bandwidth. Enjoy! 

I am fed up with the idiot neighbours' cats who walk the fence and crap in my garden. The last beast knocked over a number of cacti (not the ones with needles) when I spotted him.

These creeps will have a lot more difficult time from now on, with chicken wire protecting my Christmas/spring/orchid cacti.

I wonder if I can legally use paint ball guns on these guys...  

The Apons and Mondins are like family to us, and this weekend both families had a child marry. While it was brutal on my system, I attended both church services, and the reception of the first wedding.

Interestingly, both husbands are named Alex. How often does that happen, two weddings in two days and people have the same name. It would have been real creepy if the wives had the same names.

Check out some photos on webshots. My favourite photo has to be #161 in the Alex and Maud album. A mother and daughter-in-law declaring their love for each other.

Rants today range from vandalism, extradition, poor organization, modern equipment and software, and it's barely 9AM.

Driving off to work, just on the road are another two vehicles with the front window bashed in. This is the third day. I just don't comprehend what the purpose of these vandals is.

Getting tired of having five Culligan water bottles in the house, I called them this morning to cancel scheduled delivery. After the person on the other end took my information, she passed me on to the cancellation department. Ten minutes on hold and she came back on the line, "the cancellation department is busy, so I will send them an email." She then informed me that tomorrow somebody will come by to pick up the equipment and bottles. I think my entire account is now cancelled. Not what I had asked for, but I can live with that. I can buy my own cooler and get bottled water at Safeway across the road.

If a Canadian breaks out of a Mexican jail (doing 14 years for drug trafficking) and is an accomplice to the murder of one of the guards, why is extradition to Mexico a violation of his Human Rights? He's done the crime, let him do the time.

Take a 2007 car vs. a 1970's vehicle. Why is it so much harder to change a spark plug? Take Outlook 2007 vs. the 1997 version. Why does it take 5 steps to set an "out-of-office" message, when the old version took a single step? Is this so we can provide more work for more people?

Spotted a White-breasted Nuthatch in the backyard today, but it was gone before I could get the camera. Four chickadees were buzzing the bird feeder and must have scared it off.

The chickadees must have thought it is THEIR feeder... Mind you, they chase each other away also.

As I am writing this, she is back, so perhaps I can get some photos.

Well, got some photos and this one is the best. From googling the web for information, this appears to be a female with the grayish cap. Cornell Lab of Ornithology has very detailed information.

I have a question that may not have been asked, at least not that I know.

Watching the oil spill off the coast of Vancouver Island and the potential effect on the killer whales, would a BIO fuel spill have different effects? 

Now that it has been determined that the production of bio fuels uses more water (increasing the rate of global warming) and raises food prices, are we really on the right track or are we just fooling ourselves that we are helping to save the planet?

Comments are appreciated. 

There is a real push to pull Canadian soldiers out of Afghanistan, especially from Quebec. Do these people forget that if Canadian soldiers had not fought in WWII, this country would be totally different? For one, I likely would not be here, and how many others would not have been born? And what about the Canadian involvement in the liberation of France?

These people are so shortsighted that they may rightfully be called navel-gazers.

Edmonton Journal story...

I've been exploring my past, not just my family, but also my school years.

I have used schoolbank.nl to track people down. Today I found my first girlfriend, Bella M. I don't remember much about my first love, except for walking along Gouda's canals, and on weekends taking the German Shepherds for a walk. Still nice to learn that she's married, has 2 children and still likes to walk the dogs.

My love life has been dull by some standards. After Bella, I met Cecile and finally married her in 1970. That will be 37 years on September 30th...

And I'm beginning to trace more school mates, even from elementary school. Very interesting. 

Received an email from my cousin-in-law, Cees, that a client of his had found information about my grandfather on mom's side.

I had long been looking for a lead, but did not have enough information to make a start. That, and the fact that I am looking in two provinces, results in over 500 entries in Genlias.nl so I can't browse all records.

At least I can do a more directed search now. :) 

Watching the 1974 rendition and find Poirot to be a total @hole. His bullying and intimidation are so ancient.

What do YOU think? 

Sure, it was a nice day, and rain is forecast, but what's up with the thunder? It's the end of August...

Dang kids lighting firecrackers does not change the situation. How did they know? Oh well, they are gone now and the "weather" is still here.