Good Enough

In this day of technological advancement, of new, bright, shiny. In this era of faster, bigger, smaller. Where do we draw the line between, good enough and not good enough? When do we say, yes, I could get X but mine works ok. Or alternately, my X isn't fast enough...

Is my monitor big enough? It's a 19" monitor, I'm happy with it. Would I like a 22" monitor? Sure. A flat panel or plasma? Of course.

Will I go out and get one? Nope.

I have a 60GB hard drive, companies are releasing 250GB drives. Could I find uses for the space? Probably. Would it be nice to have? Sure.

Will I go out and get one? Nope. Although another 60GB would be nice...

When does, "it does what I need" become just too little?

I spoke about my window shopping a little while ago. This is sort of related. That looking to see what is hot out there, what is cool, what is the epitome of geekly desires... women of sci-fi shows not included.

TVs, watches, cellphones, digital cameras, software even (one version or another), shoes, etc.

I try personally to stay within a few generations of the leading edge, give things time to settle down, without getting caught behind the curve. But in some things it doesn't pay to do so. Because the newest is sometimes also the best, and when it comes to some things you want the best.

TVs, I don't really care about. Good is just that, good.
Shoes, you use every day, they should be the best you can reasonably afford. The best for the individual of course. So the newest, trendiest is sometimes also the worst.

Digital cameras... well, why would you want an older model that takes lesser quality pictures than the newest and best? I can't think of a reason. Again, it's about finding the best combination of benefits versus costs.

Easier said than done in some cases. With features crawling out of the woodwork and affixing themselves to products in different combinations and styles, it can be a very sticky comparison of benefits and costs. Not just two lines meeting somewhere that points to the best of X.

All of this to say, I have something that works, and I'm probably going to go out and get a newer and better one.

I hope to be on the right side of `good enough.'

hopeful intentions

For the past few weeks, just before I leave the office I pack my bags and take work home with me with the intention of doing it once I get in. Every night I get home and just don’t feel like opening my backpack let alone facing another couple hours of work. So the bag and work get thrown into corner, abandoned, until I sling it back on my shoulder and schlep it into work. Could someone please tell me why I keep doing this?

diminutive

Feeling small... [shrug]
taking night off, curling up into a ball
and snuggling with Hugin.

Why?

Why is it that no matter which company I work for their offices always have to be situated somewhere in Timbuktu, a hellishly long bus ride from any decent café? I ask you, why!

My good heaven, but it must be raining cows somewhere.

'Microsoft has agreed to make substantial changes to its Passport online identity system to make it comply with European privacy laws.' – BBC

I was hoping to offer you more then this little tidbit, but am currently preoccupied by a rather long uninteresting sheet of training material. I assure that is quite mind-numbing work, really. Not much meat to be gleaned from it, nor gossip. Just leaves you with this unsatiated blank feeling.

Happy Birthday Chiquita!

Chiquita, who is one of my oldest and dearest friends, was born on this day about 31 years ago and this little fact would make today, her birthday!

Happy Birthday Darling! Wishing you all your hearts desires. Hoping that your birthday is filled with love, laughter, and merriment. May the day see you surrounded by those you love and may the next year see you always happy. Many happy returns Chiquita.
hugs, squishes and kisses
us.

Tweaks and wrestlers.

Added some tweak about the site tonight. Well actually one tweak, the extended entry now appears on the main page instead of loading on a separate one. Still have some tidying up to do in the background, need to clean up some of the CSS and templates, but that will have to wait till the weekend.

A big thank you to the fabulously marvellous Geekgrl and the lovely talented ladies at Scriptygoddess, for the script. [mwah]

In order to test this new MT goodness; I give you the stupendous, the outrageous, the one-time stars of daytime wrasl’ing [drum roll please]

Hugin and Munin, Superwraslers!

Want to create your own?

[Link graciously nabbed from Tanya.]

Window shopping

It can be fun to window shop, just to look and see and think, `cool.' Regardless of whether you want/need the item.

But of course winter being winter, and cold being cold... it is also fun to internet shop.

I do it fairly regularly, see what's available at the computer store, at future shop, etc, etc.

This name rings a bell, but I don't remember from where... possibly a movie. In any case, I'll have fun perusing tonight.

Should have mentioned

As I was approaching work a couple of days ago I was having a song running through my head. I didn't really think much about it for a little while; then I realized what the song was. Memories from Cats. I was aghast, confused, and scared :) First of all, I don't care for ALW's stuff, and have never seen Cats. Secondly, I know that I hadn't heard the song at any time recently (certainly it has been at least 8 years). It was just weird!

And of course now I am listening to a song that has Chemical Brothers and Moby vs Fatboy Slim and Prodigy. A very odd kind of mix. But it has a line in it that I find myself singing to myself on occasion.

"If this don't shake your booty, your booty must be dead."

I have an odd sort of DJ taking up residence in my head.

could we get these rates?

'Fares between Britain and Germany have been cut to £1 or less as a new no-frills airline and Ryanair try to win customers by outdoing each other on price.' -BBC

That is just insane. You can't even take a bus ride for that price in some places!
How come we don't get prices like that? Oh if only we got those types of deals. The places I could visit. The cities and countries I could travel to! All for a quid!

Though admittedly I would be a little frightened to board a plane that charged such low fees. The questions that would progressively gnaw at my mind, driving me to the brink of mild neurotic aviophobia, would be: How do they maintain their planes properly? What’s keeping this bird in the air? Is something going to go dreadfully wrong ‘cause they haven’t charged enough to properly fix the problem?

this should have been posted two days ago

Big honking congratulations to the all the Bucs fans out there, I hear that Tampa Bay kicked butt, and that the game was quite good. Maybe, the Raiders will win it next year. We didn’t get to see the game, as we got us only one channel. Yes, you heard me right one channel, which meant that we also missed all the commercials too. [sniffle] Luckily someone heard our plight and linked the location to where these little advertising gems may be found. I know what I’ll be doing with my lunch hours or the next couple of days.
[wry smile].

The upside of having missed the game was that we got to watch two episodes of Alias back to back.[wahoo] This may the beginnings of a new addiction.

[A big thank you to Jenni, for posting the link.]

HK Flicks

I really, really want to see this movie. Hero.

I am just hoping that the goes the way of Crouching Tiger Hidden Dragon, in the sense they do not dub the film. I am somewhat of a purist when it comes to movie watching. What I mean by that is that I much prefer watching a movie in its original language with subtitles then sitting through a movie that is clearly dubbed. It frustrates me beyond reason to watch a movie where the characters lips are moving after the actors ‘voice’ has ended. Yes, I have watched a fair amount of these movies in my time, and yes along with the rest I can recall the scenes we would replay at school, going through the motions, lips continuously miming out the words while another person did the voice over. ‘Your kung fu is strong’ [strikes pose, lip syncs some long forgotten mumbled prose.]

As much fun as this can be, I still feel that the actors voice lends a depth to the movie that cannot be attained by the dubbing voice. That the nuances, fluctuations and tones cannot be emulated in the dubbed language. The the jokes are just not as funny, and the sayings lack their usual punch.[shrug] Well at least that is what I think.

Giving out some loving.

Blogwhore 2 is up and running! Quick before it's too late get over there and see if you can help out some of your favourite peeks. Come on you know you're dying to get over there and give 'em some loving!

Go Tanya, Ciscley and Solonor! Go kick some arse!

[I swear we come from some no stance country, honest. Truly Canadian eh!?!]

Happily Tickled Pink

Our warmest and happiest of congratulations to Steve and Dina on their wonderful new project!

Completely tinkled pink by the news!!!
[Happy dance of JOY]

drums in me head

The vice tightens as the lights flash. My head beats out its own rhythm as the imps that inhabit it pound their drums. My tummy spins out of control, a train derailed and set loose in space. Our bedroom is flooded with sunshine, dancing spotlights that flit about the floor. The dark cool womb of our office offers the only respite. Going back to crashing on the couch now as I can't think of anything else that can help.

Though some do recommend a good snuggle. Oh love fancy a ....

Elegance

While taking a little walk, and passing through a magazine store Munin and I had a little discussion about elegance. Primarily dealing with the potential preconception that brunettes are more elegant than blondes.

Now perhaps this is a stereotype perpetuated by Hollywood, perhaps not. But we were trying to think of blonde women who are, or could be, considered elegant. It was a small number indeed and basically none recent.

What about models? Singers? Or other visible industries?
Is it a nationality thing? Are there more elegant people in Europe? Asia?

Any thoughts?

Counterstrike Memories

For those of you who have ever in your life played or been with someone who played multiplayer first person shooters, such as half-life or any of its mods (counterstrike, team fortress, etc), Quake 1/2/3, Aliens vs Predators, etc, etc... and especially if you played at a LAN party or with mics.

This mp3 file, found linked on Penny-Arcade is worth a listen. It's techno'd mic recordings of one unfortunate soul.

He isn't doing too well it would seem, so... keep the kids away unless you want them wandering around doing Robin Williams impersonations...

I can't say I've ever been this bad in a game, but I have had some... equally frustrating experiences... caused a few too :D

Are you ready for some football?!?

'Cause it's Superbowl Sunday

To all who are watching the game today, have yourself a great time. Have a beer or two and a whole stack of nachos for us, please. We won’t be able to watch the game or the commercials [sniffle], as we only gots us one channel, so we be watching Alias!

Luck to theTampa Bay Buccaneers and the Oakland Raiders.
I am not taking sides in this one. No siree bob!

Go Buccaneers! Go Raiders!

Holy Mother Murphy in a Muffin

Hugin just gave me the fright of my life. The wonderful git, I am using that in the most endearing of manners, just snuck up behind me, grabbed me and went BAWAHAHA! I think my heart’s palpitating at a million miles per minutes. Excuse me while I go throttle the living beejezus out of him, in a loving manner of course.

Art Imitating Life

Watched About a Boy last night.
When it originally came out, I didn't have any particular interest in watching it. I've found some of Hugh Grant's works to be unbearable, while others have been quite enjoyable; bottom line, I could give it a pass.

Well, sequence of events follows:

- Munin wanted to watch it
- movie came out on DVD
- we picked up DVD
- we watched it last night

Now all I can think of is this comic strip...

Cheers.

The night the Internet broke

‘Computer experts said the slowdown on Saturday was similar to the impact of the "Code Red" virus, which brought Internet traffic to a halt in the summer of 2001.’ -BBC

I am still trying to figure out the exact logistic of this. How does one shut down the Internet by running a worm? Why would someone go through the trouble of doing this? Why do I feel so cut of from the world? How come I don’t remember the “Code Red” virus of 2001?

Well this explains part of it:
‘The code instructs the server to go into an endless loop, continually sending out data to other computers, in effect performing a denial of service attack’

Why am I always suspicious when a company quickly comes up with a fix?’ The Microsoft website has a fix for the vulnerability...’

More info can be found here.

[Story first spotted at Geekggrl’s]

Literarily deprived.

Need something to read, cannot find anything amongst the plethora of books that grace our shelves. Have gone through my usual favourites, and nothing. My soul yearns for something new and fresh, something that is out of the ordinary, and something that does not necessarily fall into the genres that I know so well. My mind seems to be seeking something it can chew on and learn from, or maybe something amusing that it can quickly devour. Can anyone suggest a good book, or two, or three? I am open to almost anything.

look ma, no windchill!

After much deliberation and heaploads of self-guilt I schlepped myself into work on a day that is supposed to be warmer then the previous ones, with no windchill. I say supposed to, because I still froze my little tuchus off! Warmer they say. Feh, I say. Let them stand outside in the cold for 10 minutes while waiting for a bus driver to quit jabbering, like an old lady in a heated bus, unconcerned with the long line of people who glare at him through the bus door. For the rest of the day you may address me as ‘frozen grumpball’.

Query: The large mug of coffee that I have conveniently wrapped myself around is not providing me with the heat I thought it would. Anyone got some liquor I could throw in?

..spin...

Could someone please make the room stop spinning and the lights stop flashing? Thank you.

Quandary.
I am debating if I should take the day off tomorrow. As whiney as it may sound I am just not up to schlepping myself out into the cold and dealing with another day of shivering and general malaise due to the frigid temperatures. It’s inhuman I say to force us out into the cold like this when there is a nice warm bed and hot cocoa, sitting just a hand span away ready for the taking. My body, she cannot take it any longer, Captain. Though even with all this bellyaching, the morning will probably see me huddled at my desk wrapped around my coffee mug as I try and glean the last vestiges of heat from the cup. Blech.

Are those real?

Found this link, once agin through the BBC. It is of some interest to me ‘cause I am never quite sure if what I am seeing is actually real or not. Can you spot the fakes? I sure couldn’t. I also found it interesting that Stalin was one of the first people to doctor photos so that he could skew the truth. I wonder what other historic photos have been doctored.

CSI

For Bobby.

Ok, to answer a question about CSI that was brought up in a comment, if you aren't interested... move along :)

Alright, where to start?

I suppose the best way is to quote the expression, chacun a son gout. Each to their own taste.

I personally have never watched the Godfather, closest I came to that was watching The Freshman. In the same way, I really have no interest in The Sopranos, no matter how many awards they win, nor will I likely ever watch daytime soaps.

All of which to say, regardless of the quality of a show, CSI may not be for you.

What do I like about it? Why do I find it interesting?
I'll try to give some idea, as I analyze it myself.

I like the puzzle that it poses. It's all about the techniques used to acquire evidence/data and then to put the pieces together into a coherent scenario that explains the evidence. It's a puzzle. Sometimes an overly gruesome one, but a puzzle nonetheless. And that process intrigues me. The techniques, the tools, the analysis and of course the solution.

The characters are interesting, they have flaws, but they aren't protrayed simply as being the product of flaws and/or virtues without any other motivations. The actors do a wonderful job of making the characters feel real. Providing them with depth even if you don't know what it consists of. In much the same way you can look into water and know that it runs deeply but see only the surface, rather than looking at a puddle. You get the sense that the characters aren't just about what is shown on screen. And of course the writing is a large part of this.

It is for the same reason that I find West Wing interesting. The actors/characters/writing is fabulous and it also combines aspects of problem solving and troubleshooting but on the level of a political arena instead of a crime scene.

I suppose that the same can be said about MacGyver, another show I loved to watch when it first came out. (I have since watched some past episodes and they are sooooo cheesy!!! It is amazing! But I still hold onto them.) Because aside from the cheese, it was a problem solving show, what will he do/create etc that can help him.

So those seem to be the two most obvious reasons I can think of to like the show, although perhaps it is more than two:

1) Puzzle
2) Actors
3) Characters
4) Writing

I should mention the only reasons I don't like the show.
I find the `recreations' to be a little gruesome. I don't like being treated to a visualization of bones suffering a tortional break, or other equally graphic stuff. Don't get me wrong, I am a product of North American violent movies (although I admit to preferring romantic comedies... don't quote me on that though), but I just find it unnecessary, the show doesn't need it to be good.

So, what else can I say?
Hmm, I suppose I should mention that I don't like CSI: Miami as much as CSI. Not sure why. I mean I loved Emily Procter's character in West Wing, and her character is enjoyable enough in CSI:M. Maybe it's the environment, maybe the characters aren't evolved enough, maybe the interactions aren't worked out as well. I'm really not sure, I simply don't find it as captivating.

The writing has seemed rushed in several instances, scenarios wrapping up in the space of the last 3-5 minutes that cause neck injury from the speed at which something or other develops. I can understand that on occasion this kind of break makes sense, a sudden development which lays everything out perfectly. In the context of the show it was done jarringly, with no sense of a picture developing, but of a rock hitting the head.

It just seems a little more shallow, a little less cohesive. Perhaps it is exactly what it should be, a spin-off that has yet to find itself. That would be nice. In the meantime I will stick with the original.

Akin to movies, books, and music, remakes and sequels have a hard time keeping up with the same level as their predecessor.

me toes have frozen off!

Just a wee bit better out there today, the windchill effect is only a measly –34 oC. [Measly she says, as if that wasn’t cold enough.] Feeling like an overstuffed teddy bear at the moment, am wearing on set of longjohns, two pairs of socks, one thick pair of pants, a t-shirt, a sweater, and a fleece with my scarf wrapped around my neck. What?!? It’s bloody cold in the office today.

In other news: Why do people come up with designs like this? Do they really think that this building is a good choice?

Schools Back In

Zander needs a little help with some schoolwork, so please be kind and go give him a hand with a poll that he needs for a history project.

Free of Willy.

Robyn reminded me that the Bloggies nominations are finally up! [happy dance of joy] No go, get, time to vote for your favourite Bloggers. Oh and it’s Willy free!

Our warmest congratulations go out to:
*Christine[pets and blogs] for Best Weblog Ring.
*Jason DeFillippo of Blogrolling, and LBStone of Photoblogs for Best Weblog Directory or Update Monitor.
*Movable Type for Best Web Application for Weblogs
*D for Best European Or African Weblog
*Rannie, Mike and Zalary for Best Canadian Weblog
*Christine, Dawn and Michele for Best American Blog
*Picture Yourself [Christine] for Best Non-weblog Content of a Weblog Site
*Wonderful women of Scriptygoddess for Best Programming of a Weblog Site
*Little Green Footballs for Best Weblog about Politics
*Scriptygoddess and The Girlie Matters for Best Web Development Weblog
*Chris Pirello and BoingBoing for Best Computers or Technology Weblog
*Jill Matrix, and Little Yellow Different for Best GLBT Weblog
*Time for your meds for Most Humorous Weblog
*Erika and Kymberlie for Best Designed Weblog
* Bloganon for Best-Kept-Secret Weblog
*My So Called Life for Best New Weblog
*Michele of A Small Victory for Weblog of the Year.

What are y’all still doing here, lollygagging with yer tongues hanging out? Get.

Copyright

I was rather annoyed reading a while back about the copyright extension for Disney.

This site is more from the non-Disney side.

This on the other hand cheers me and reminds me of what Disney should do. It is amusing that the situations are about a year apart.

I am amazed that the Supreme Court allowed the extension of the copyright, against seemingly everything that copyrights were intended to do. I can see copyright existing for as long as the person is alive, perhaps a little longer, but Disney is just being greedy.

Posting

Just a little post.

Saw this kind of interesting tidbit: Minnesota-based Andersen's new entrant, which isn't for sale yet, is a bay window that doubles as a home entertainment center. A low-voltage electric current runs through the window. When the current is on, the window is clear. But flip a switch to turn the current off and the glass goes opaque, allowing it to be used as a projection screen for watching television or DVDs. The flanking casement windows become the speakers

To make a funny, I hope this window doesn't crash :)

Other than that, the usual, the usual.

Watching Alias (v.good), Buffy(interesting I think... not too sure yet), CSI(always so much better than CSI Miami, not sure why), West Wing(sad to see Sam gone, but Will is alright too).

Reading a mix of things depending upon where I am. I have Prisoner of Azbakan in the backpack. By Way of Deception in my coat pocket. Am reading the Lensman series by EE Doc Smith. Have yet to finish, intentionally, the Paths of the Dead (I wasn't as happy with it as I was with the first in the series).

I think that's about it right now... for now.

Me last whine about the weather.

subtitled: make that my last whine about the weather for this cold snap. maybe.
I ain’t leaving the flat for the next couple of days and there is nothing that you can do that will make me venture outside in that there weather! It’s bloody cold out there!

My question to you is why do they call unseasonably cold weather a ‘cold snap’ and exceedingly high temperatures a ‘heat wave’?

So you want to be Canadian, eh?

In light of the recent cold snap, I thought that now would be a good time to sell Canada to all of you out there who think that moving to the land of cold, tundra and igloos, is a grand idea. I give you links that will help you with the process.

I say tomatoes, you say tamatta

*please excuse the poor grammer/bad writing my brain is still frozen from the cold.

Side note: Yes, Winnie the Pooh is ours!

Night muse.

Longs hours spent sitting upright in an unfriendly environment, shivering, attempting to concentrate, sentences swimming before me. Hot cups of coffee pass through lips unnoticed, offering glimpses of warmth. The cold has taken its toll; my body aches and is unhappy. My eyes droop, wanting to be lulled into sleep, hibernation from the mornings chill. The bed offers itself, a place of comfort and warmth. The pillow calls, a soft whispering lullaby in my ears. Dreams pull me down into their embrace, a tight spiral of blackness and images.

Grumpballish

The cold weather has turned me into a big unsociable grumpball. I am cantankerous, ill-tempered and grouchy! Hear me growl. Oh and don’t even think of venturing near my cubicle, I may just bite yer 'ead off! [grrr]

...baby it's cold outside...

I really can't stay - But baby it's cold outside
I've got to go away - Oh, baby it's cold outside
This evening has been - Been hoping that you'd drop in
So very nice - I'll hold your hands, they're just like ice
-Tom Jones & Cerys Catatonia

Someone turned off the heat, tonight’s low will be–35 oC and tomorrow high will be a temperate –35 to –40 oC with the wind-chill factor. When I find out, who is responsible for this lovely weather system I am going to wring their scrawny little impish neck.

I still can't get over this. Whoever convinced these women that they looked even remotely attractive in these getups has some amazing skills of persuasion or is complete eejit. She however, is just so darn cute! [ links via the lovely Robyn.]

my guinness!

Last night, a bunch of us went out to one of our favourite Irish watering holes looking for something to stave off the chill, we came upon the one of the cutest little boys I have ever seen. He was strutting about, dancing a jig, walking up to tables and just being so gosh darn cute! At one point he climbed up onto his dads lap waiting for something to drink. The waiter finally came, dropping of two huge pints of drink, one for the boy and one for his father. Though the one with the straw is obviously the little lads, we believe that he was much more interested in the Guinness!

[I was quite nervous about taking pictures of him, but his father didn't seem to mind and kept smiling when I did.]

It's That Hugin And Munin Feeling.

...need more coffee, going to get some; I give you link that Robyn sucked me into! Be warned, hours will be spent as you try and find the perfect slogan!

Up for grabs on this site, and this site only: [in no particular order]

*Live in Your Munin, Play in Ours.
*It's A Bit Of A Hugin and Munin.
*Come See the Softer Side of Munin.
*Be Like Dad, Keep Hugin'.
*Once You Pop, You Can't Stop Hugin And Munin.
*I'm Cuckoo For Hugin.
*Sweet as the Moment When the Munin Went "Pop"
*Wait Till We Get Our Hugin And Munin On You.
*Do You Eat The Munin Last?
*Always After Me Hugin and Munin.
*I Like the Hugin in You.
*You're in Good Hands with Munin.
*Does the Hard Hugin, So You Don't Have To.

Hugin found these:
*Can't Do It In Real Life? Do It On Munin.
*There's First Love, and There's Munin Love. [Yowza]
*Have a Munin and Smile.[Yup :D]
*Just Do Munin. [Gotta love Nike]
*Munin: The Other White Meat.
*Great Munin. Great Times.

What's your slogan?

My weight, your fault.

‘According to some calculations, close to one-third of Americans are clinically obese - about 50% more than even the chubbiest equivalent country.’ -BBC

That statistic always surprises me. Though now it seems that the people are no longer to blame for their eating habits. The blame now falls on the producers since they have made food so readily available and easier to obtain.

‘… since that manufacturers of food have invested heavily in making their products tastier, cheaper, more varied and more convenient for the consumer’

One cannot but keep eating all day long. The food is there hence we must eat it.

‘…its increased convenience has provoked a shift to frequent "grazing" - small but cumulatively hefty snacks, as opposed to regular meals.’

As a grazer, and a person who enjoys pecking at food throughout the day I have problems swallowing the fact that it’s the companies that force the population to snack more often. Granted snacks are easier to eat on the go, granted picking up a chocolate bar is easier then grabbing an apple, but is that honestly the manufacturers’/produces’ fault. Are we not responsible for our own choices? Do we not decide what we will or will not eat? Or we such slaves to marketing strategies, slogans and advertising that like Pavlov’s dogs, as soon as we see an advertised product sitting on a shelf, table or hidden in our desks we must devour it as soon as possible, so that we may quickly move on to the next snack, the next gastronomic conquest? No!?! I didn’t think so.

Oy! that is all, that is it! OY!

Meaning of consulting according to Dilbert

A friend sent me these the other day. He thought it was amusing. He too is a consultick, oops, I mean, consultant.

Better than Episode 1

Pretty amazing how popular Harry Potter is, according to CNN:

"Within hours of Wednesday's announcement that "Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix" would be in bookstores on June 21, the book hit No. 1 on Amazon.com's best-seller list."

Photobloggies are here!

Rannie is hosting the First Annual Photobloggies! This is your chance to vote for all your favourite photo blogs, and give them the recognition that is due. Go here to vote! [Voting starts on the 13th January, 2003 and ends on Sunday, January 26th, 2003]

Don’t know many Photoblogs? This site can help you out!

A big thank you to Rannie @Photojunkie for setting this up.

Shiver.

Currently –30 oC outside, the cold wind seems to be seeping in through the cracks making our office a rather unbearable place to be sitting. My fingers are half frozen; typing has become a battle of wills.

fingers: uh-uh man, there is no way you are getting us to leave the warm confines of these here mittens.
munin: come on, we got work to do. must get doc out ASAP.
fingers: No! not going to do it! you can’t make us!
munin: what if I got you a large cup of cocoa to wrap yourselves around?
mouth: Cocoa?!?
mouth to fingers, cajoling: come on you know you want the hot cocoa!
fingers, stubbornly: No!
munin: pretty please, I’ll throw in a nice warm bowl of soup and some time on the heaters.
fingers: grumble…tap, tappity, tap.

Personally, I think people should have the option of working from home on days like this. Productivity goes down the drain when all you’re doing is sitting on a chair attempting to warm yourself, arms wrapped around your torso, feet tucked under bum and desperately trying not to let the chattering of your teeth distract those around you.

No More bananas, today…Or ever?

Edible bananas may disappear within a decade …and I wonder why I worry so much as to what is happening in the world.

'Nanas are one of my favourite fruits. They are perfect on ice cream smothered in chocolate sauce, amazing with toast and peanut butter, they are yummy on their own. They are good in milkshakes, whipped up with strawberries. How do you like your bananas?

My thanks Munin

I salute you, heart of my heart.
And return your compliment in kind.

Speachless

She just made me cry. She who is a talented writer, who deserves loads of recognition for her ability to put into words, which are quirky, wonderful, astute and evocative, her emotions and feeling. She, who is capable of writing stories that suck you in from the first word, has left me a speechless tearful sap. The words Thank You just don’t seem to cut it, Ed, but they are the only words I can come up with.

Thank you from the bottom of my heart; I am humbled and honoured by your words. Thank you.

Thanks

Many thanks for the gift of wine [I didn't look at the price... that wouldn't be kosher] to the Coffee-Goddess; who it would seem is now mis-titled... I had a hard time finding the wine on the web...

And thanks also to Linux Boy for his eminently useful gift and useful gift holder.

Potter? Harry Potter?!?

The hottest day of the summer so far was drawing to a close and a drowsy silence lay over the large, square houses of Privet Drive. - Harry Potter and the Order of the Phoenix

Finally, the fifth Harry Potter book will be coming out on the 21st of June! According to the BBC it is nearly a third longer the Harry Potter and the Goblet of Fire . Can’t wait. Must acquire book soon!

The following quote, by a 13 year old,is too cute "I reckon Dumbledore's going to tell Harry that Voldemort is his father and that he has a sister! Hehe" [Stars Wars lives on in every generation]

There is another Birthday On the web today!

Happy birthday Jennifer, wishing you a stupendously happy birthday! Hope you have a wonderful day, filled with much love and happiness. May all your wishes come true. Go give her some love!

Happy Birthday Love!

The old man, he ain’t getting any younger. [teasing smile] One more year closer to the edge of the hill, my heart. [impish grin] Soon I will be giving you sponge baths and bringing you, your breakfast to bed so that I may slop it into your mouth with a big old spoon, and then maybe when you are done I would roll you into your favourite couch and read to you. Perhaps later in the day I would haul you into your chair and roll you outside for a bit of fresh air, nattering on about how things used to be when we were young and spry. Hopefully those days are a long ways to come, but when they do my love, you and I will sit side by side on the big old porch swing and watch the sun go down.

Wishing you all things wonderful, on your birthday, mon amour. Hoping that your birthday is filled with much amusement, laughter, silliness and love. Hoping that all your birthday wishes come true and that all your hearts desires are fulfilled. Ti Amo!

...love is all you need…

As much as I would love to write an excerpt for everyone who has made me smile I can't there are just aren't enough hours in this day. So to all of you:

You have you made me smile, have written posts that have made me tear, and inspired me. You have provided me with new insights and have allowed me a glimpse into your lives. You have been there in moments of sadness, in moments of happiness. You are all wonderful. I hug and squish you all.

'Cause I really want to keep this job, ya know!

I should really, really, refrain from pointing out grammatical errors that my boss has made when writing up manuals. It just not bode well to walk into his office and point out that he should limit his use of ‘ etc…’ especially when he stares back blankly and goes ‘what’. Must learn to not do that, and must also remember not to continuously contradict him.

All you need is love.

Scattered amongst the side bar, are many who have made me laugh, cry, giggle with glee, snort and spew out mouthfuls of coffee. There are some that I have come to know as friends and many that I hold dear. There are so many wonderful people, that narrowing it down to handful is hard enough and narrowing it down to one is downright impossible. So I shall dedicate this entry to someone I have just recently 'met' in hopes that this will prompt her to keep writing.

Heather, you who share a space with Stacey are quite wonderful to read. I love your pictures and your insights. I love the your ability to be kooky online, I love reading your comments, counterpoints to Stacey's words, and I hope to see many more posts from you.

Bloggin Loverfest

Robyn recently remarked that all is not well with the Blogger community. I could not agree with her more, it appears that a lot of us, us included, seem to be down in the dumps, either feeling unloved, pointing fingers at each other, feeling aggravated with minor/major issues or just plain grumpy. So in an effort to perk things up, and create a feeling of warmth and good cheer, she has is officially naming tomorrow A Bloggin’ Loverfest!

In order to accomplish this:

'Devote one post to a blogger you love and tell everyone why in 1500 words or less. Let your readers know how that blog has changed either your day -- or blogging -- for the better. Even if that's just because it's damn silly and makes you smile. Then go tell that blogger you've written about them. After that, ping Robyn or post it in her comments so everyone can see what you've had to say. ' -Robyn

Alias

Hey, who decided that I should watch Alias? ...Munin's very naughty use of the remote control (although we only really have 1 channel)... So I watch one episode and what happens?! It's a good one, with Lena Olin who I find to be a wonderful actress.
So of course I then have to try and find the earlier episodes so I have some idea as to what is going on.
I manage to watch the first and second episodes, and guess what? They're good! That's almost obscene, a show with a good pilot episode, I don't think even Babylon 5 had that!
So now I'm hooked. And get all ready to watch the show last night, what happens this time? Dumb people's choice awards... this people wanted to watch Alias, not see what other people wanted to watch! *grumble*

Oh well, nothing for it but to continue to try and find older episodes. Yup yup.
Silly goodness.

Sniff.

Lost my favourite hat today. It was with me when I left the office, but managed to disappear after I left. I am hoping that it is sitting all warm and snugly in the car of the person who gave me a lift to the bus station, if not I fear I shall be very sad. It is a good hat, it keeps me ears warm as well as me head and it is big and fluffy. Maybe she will bring find it and bring it in tomorrow, that would be quite happy making.

Update: Hat was found this morning sitting on chair! [happy dance] It was left behind in the car, she found it sitting all by its lonesome self and brought in this morning.

Inspiration and Discipline

Monday mornings have never truly been a productive time for me. It takes me a good 2 to 3 hours to get into work mode unless I am pressed and have deadlines. This morning is no exception, especially after a night spent in between sleep and wakefulness. I have spent the better part of the morning wondering about, popping into offices to say hello and drinking copious amounts of coffee. There are things scattered about my desk, needing attention but I can’t seem to bring myself to delve into them fully and have only given them a scant cursory look. I need to set up a system, one to ensure some form of discipline on these Monday mornings, one that has checks and balances, rewards and motivational pushes. Or maybe, I could just skip Monday mornings, sleep in and arrive at noon ready for the next workweek.

Coded dreams.

Long hours spent coding do not for a good night sleep make, especially if you go to bed with your mind still attempting to sort out the tweaks in your head. My dreams consisted of long sheaves of white pages, filled with codes and colour spectrums. They would fly about my head and taunt me, thumbing their edges with my nose, wriggling their long opaque, heavily coded upon pages, in a triumphant dance. Occasionally one would move just within my grasp, the answer to my questioning finally answered, but just as I would reach out to grab it and make it my own it would prance away in a mocking stance. I woke up this morning all headachy and sore, with none of my tweaks solved. In the future I must remember not to code just before going to bed.

Ooo!

It's all different!
So many features it seems, very nice.

The first non-Vettriano page in a long while... but that's ok because Bogie and Bacall are pretty great.
Always had an enjoyable time watching their earlier movies. Yup. Good good. Mm-hm, yup yup yup...
Hmm, don't think I have any on tape sadly enough. I could do with watching Dark Passage again, or To Have and Have Not.

Hmm...

A little messy

Things are a little messy. Please forgive the disorder. All should be cleaned up by the end of the week, so please pull up a chair and make yourselves comfortable.

Change Over

Well this is it! Changing over the site, so things may get a little wonky for a while.

Spin Cycle Coding

Trying to get some more coding done between laundry loads. This has the funny effect of me moseying downstairs to dump in a load only to run up a few seconds later because a brainstorm has gone through. At this rate both tasks should take all day. [wry smile]

Up To Me Elbows in Code.

Busy playing around with MT. Hoping to have the site up and running in Movable Type by the middle of next week if not the end of this weekend. I would leave you with an image, but I have no time to prepare one so instead I direct you to these wonderful photo logs.

Chicago Uncommon. Kurtwood. Noah Grey. Harrumph. Pixelog. Picture Fish. Stillpixels. Blahblahphotos. Stacey Grahams. Mumbles Unintelligibly. Picture Yourself. Lomography. Tampatantrum. Shutterbabe. and .Photojunkie [Who is organizing a photobloggies and has links to a whole bunch of wonderful sites.]

Want some more? Follow this link.

Some more! [Got other suggestions? leave a note in the comments]
Pink Elephants. Photogeek. Da Goddess. Visions. Mirrorproject. Christine's Clicks. Small Spiral Notebook. Uniform Grey.

*Please note that there are many more wonderful sites, I just couldn’t name them all. They are listed in no partiular order.

Office Assistant Addict.

Spent the last five minutes playing with the little office assistant. I blame KD for this. Had she not reminded me how much fun they could be I wouldn’t have remembered that they existed nor would I have loaded one onto my computer. Which in turn would mean that I would not be spending long intervals of time animating it and seeing what tricks it would perform for me. Now I am an office assistant addict, not that I pay attention to anything they say, I just like watching them. So I guess you can say that I am an office assistant voyeur. For the moment I have settled on the kitty. [He’s really cuter you know, and he purrs]

Manuals.

Spent most of the yesterday going through our training manuals. My self-prescribed task cause I’m a glutton for punishment baby, is to update the manuals to reflect the changes that have been made to the software. Some of the documentation is rather good, whilst others, well lets just say they look they have been thrown together at the very last possible moment. My favorite document that falls in to this category is one that has been written in two distinctly different languages. By this I mean that is not a bilingual document in which the information has been laid out in both languages, but instead has some of the chapters written in one language and the others written in another completely different language.

Who in their right mind writes a manual in two distinctly separate languages? Who? Do these people think that they will be able to provide a bilingual course? Hello! You do not write on chapter in one language and then switch over to the other for the next one. I don’t care who you think you are that is just plain idiocy! Why, you may ask, because it is hard enough fallowing an intensive course in one language and retain all the pertinent information, let alone trying to remember all the terms in two distinctly different languages! Feh! I guess we’ll be rewriting that one.[mild Growl]

Good Stuff

A few great animations in no particular order.

Well, ok, will start with the most recent because it made Munin giggle.
1. Icons
2. Stick Figures Kung Fu
3. Killer Bean 2... maybe this should have been #2...

Some days it's just not safe to heed the call of nature.

Though the end of the article is rather amusing [occasionally my sense of humor tends to be a little sardonic, and I have been known to stick my tongue onto cold metal objects. So I can relate to the poor guys misery. Don’t laugh. It’s not funny!] The fact the weather system seems to be going all decoct is not.

It worries me and I wonder what it signifies, this change in weather systems. The cold snaps and heat waves, are they a normal occurrences? Or are we experiencing something that signifies that the world is changing and not for the better? Has this happened before? What occurred when it did? Every time I read an article about an odd weather system these questions come buzzing to the forefront and the feeling that all is not well with the world sneaks up and causes me to shudder.

Happy Birthday

Happy birthday Sis. Sorry can't be there to wish it in person.
Best of everything to you.

[Munin sings:
Happy birthday to you!
Happy Birthday to you!
Happy Birthday Dear,
Happy Birthday to you!

Hope your day is filled with all that is wonderful!
May be the days that follow be as grand.
May all your wishes be granted.
[big birthday squishes] ]

Long Drawn out Funk.

Feeling drawn out and thin this morning, 'sort of stretched, like butter scraped over too much bread'. This sitting about the office trying to get things orderly and done has left me feeling slow, and just plain blah. I don’t do as well productively when there isn’t a proverbial gun held to my head. I will sit at a desk staring off into space totally content to be in lala land then sit here and do slow paced work. I miss the bustle that comes with contract work. I miss the deadlines, the mad running about, the minor ‘arguments’ about what the correct standards should be. My mind is just not reacting quickly enough, the plethora of whispered words that usually buzz about my head are but a dull clouded mummer and the hours tick by at a snails pace. I need a mountain of work; I need it to be dropped on my desk as soon as possible so I can get out of this funk. Anyone have any extra work that they would be willing to throw my way?

Worth Waiting For

There are many things that could fall within the scope of this title, from the first turning of the leaves of autumn, that extra little distance for the better coffee, that first kiss after being apart.

This, however, is none of those.
It's just a little article on digital camera technology and potential future advances. I say `potential' because far too many of these so-called advances are found to be vapour.
Hopefully this one will, the layering of pixels has certainly come up before, I believe it was in relation to video displays, but I could be mistaken.
The benefits are obvious of course, as would be the pleasure in using such a tool.

Comment boxes

Eyes have that droopy mildly stingy feeling to them and me head weighs about a ton. I should really be crawling into bed about now but instead I am glued to my seat eyes riveted to the computer screen as I contemplate on templates, comment boxes and coding. Yes, yes, we shall be leaving this commentless system soon enough. I hope.

Great Post

No, no, afraid it isn't mine.
For those who have a moment check out Neil Gaiman's blog posts for the 5th of this month, just the search one and the one about swearing in songs... link on our sidebar to his site.

Floating Mouse.

Just had the oddest sensation sitting at my desk, reading over some manuals and in the corner of my eye the mouse looks as if it is floating towards me as I am drawn to it. Just a weird spine tingly sensation. Has that ever happened to anyone else?

A little poésie

As I sit at my desk, the coffee goes
Drip dripity drip. Captured in a glass,
My caffeine fix for the day.

Outside the snow gently falls,
Big white fluffy clouds
Snow angels in disguise

I sit here pondering when the day will pass
How long I will stare at this computer screen
Long drawn out blanks, wanting more sleep-in time.

This is my beatnik poetry
Inspired by Bobby G

Just so y’all know: Seems we aren’t updating with Weblogs currently, so please come back, as often as you can. There might be something new, but then again, maybe not.

Science Is ...

Go Einstein!
That's just cool.

As opposed to cloning human beings.
I can't see what is good about that.
We already have a perfectly good and hopefully satisfactory method of creating more humans, with some obvious difficulties [Bill Cosby - Natural Childbirth]
We have an overpopulation problem.
We have not successfully had cloning on animals to a perfectly healthy stage.
It just isn't warranted.

Aside from perhaps cloning stem cells in order to cure degenerative diseases.
I just don't like it.

Good Question

To me from Munin: Was that you mewing?

[Note: We do have a cat...]

After some consideration I must admit it wasn't that silly a question, we also have fish.

Note To Self

Must remember not to walk quickly when wearing long gray skirt as it goes thwap, thwap in a somewhat loud and disconcerting manner. This also seems to have the effect of scaring the natives away.

Well Said

A fun forum read; lord of the rings by other author snippets. Quite good indeed, there is a link to a quicktime movie that is also really good especially if you are a fan of older movies.

Just a Glass of Water, Please.

Well that makes going out and getting drunk a hell of a lot cheaper!

Silly Nilly

It is very strange having Internet access at work. I am not quite sure what to do with it. Part of me wants to rampage wildly about the net, reading all manner of things, not paying attention what so ever to the work load that I have assigned myself, while the other more work oriented side knows that this would be sheer folly. That in the end I will be so net addicted that no work will get done and that when it is time to head back on contract the addiction will have taken over my life and I will be a twitchy mess pining away as I stare at a computer with no outside access. So I shall be strict, I shall set myself goals and rewards myself with brief bouts of netted bliss. That couldn’t hurt could it?

Over Here Now!

Is good to be back! [though we weren’t really gone for long] The site transfer went without a hitch, no wonkiness at all and everything seems to be in place. This is all very happy making. Now we gets to have us some fun!

Thank you so very much to Christine and the rest of the Blogamania team!

side thought: it feels very odd not having the banner on top, I feel as if the site is undressed.

Lost: One Head.

Somehow I managed to leave the house this morning sans spectacles, lunch, and the all-important munchies. You'd figure that I would have at least had the common sense to prepare everything in advance the previous evening. Nope. Not I! Luckily the one thing I did remember to check were the directions I needed to get back to our office. It has been nearly six months since I have set foot at the old 'headquarters' a little bit longer since I have sat at my allocated desk. The only thing I forgot to check was the travel time, so I dallied a bit this morning, puttered about the house trying vainly to remember if I was forgetting anything and arrived at the office fashionably late. So much for starting the work year of on the right foot. Must remember to pack munchies and spectacles in bag tonight!

Moving on Up.

Tonight we’ll be moving our site over to our wonderful new web host, so things may get just a wee little bit wonky. Hopefully we will be back up and running within 24 hours if not 48. Hope you all have a good Monday back at work! All together now;

See y’all soon
Hugs and squishes.
Us.

Double Thanks Sis

Got your package, it was very wonderful; although the crystal was a little unexpected?!

Much thanks for the Joulupukki Pooh he is wonderfully great!!!!
And now both Munin and I are constantly saying, "Joulupukki!"

And while looking for a picture of JP I found this picture which made both of us go [cutesy] "Oooooh!" [/cutesy]

No more!

I am no longer buying Fishies. At least that is what I a telling myself now. After having a dilapidated fish tank for several months, we lost about 20 fishes to a disease that we could not cure, and having one fish survive all by it lonesome for 5 months and a move I thought that it was about time that we got him/her some new friends. They couldn’t very well die could they; I mean the fishy seems to be doing well. So off I went to the pet store yesterday and picked him/her up 6 new friends. They survived the jostling on the trip home, they seemed to have survived the transfer and this morning I found two of them fading. I don’t deal very well with the loss of pets, and I know that some people will say it is only a fish, but to me they are not ‘just fish’, and it hurts me all the same to see them suffer. I seriously hope that the other four survive and thrive, but until I am sure that the tank is stable I am not buying another fishy.

Sic
Well, I hope not, but I feel a little that way. Not quite right but that's the way I feel, hence the title - or maybe I am being a little too obscure...

You people make my ass twitch!

If I have to read 'connection pipe broken' one more time I am going to lose it! How is one expected to backup their web page if they can’t get it off their server? Hmm, I ask you? How?!? Well I be, our current host has now decided that it no longer feels like letting anyone log into their accounts. Excuse me while I go and blow a fuse. [grumble]

Half a Wekend.

Two weeks gone in a blur, only half a weekend left until the daily grind starts again. I can’t believe how quickly the weeks go by. I still remember it being summer, no so long ago there was warm glorious sunshine shining down on everything and now it is winter and work starts on Monday. GAH, only 6 days ago I was bemoaning the fact holidays just weren’t the same without Hugin being home and now they are almost over. It, as you can tell by the incredulous whining of this post, amazes how quickly the years pass, as you get older. Holidays crawled when I was a child, filled with happy activities, but as I have aged they always seem to disappear in a flash of chores and I never seem to be able to sit back, relax and just enjoy them. Well back to the tasks at hand, got to get some stuff finished before the end of the weekend.

The Bloggies are Back!

Gone looking for adventure, in the meantime go vote for your favourite Blogs!
[link via Robyn and Christine]

Historical Blog

Interesting little Blog noticed on Slashdot.
A diary started in 1660, not quite any momentous number and now each day an entry will be placed on the blog.

Nice way to give people some historical flavour/sense combined with our information age sensibilities.

Pounciness.

Hugin’s taken the day off and I have this incredible urge to pounce into the bedroom and wake him up. There is adventure to be found today, and the part of need that needs to explore is itching to find it. Sitting and waiting on this chair has become a battle of wills, this little imp keeps whispering that the days is a wasting, that there is much to see. He looks so peaceful lying there all snuggled up under the mound of blankets on our bed that I would feel terrible if I woke him. Maybe if I made coffee? Maybe that would get him up, or maybe if something came crashing down in the kitchen. That wouldn’t be construed as rudely waking him up would it? I mean things fall in the kitchen all the time don’t they?

To whomever thought that it would be fun to repeatedly bash the inside of me cranium with a sledgehammer I would kindly beg that you please stop! Thank you. [a couch, more caffiene, and advil needed.]

For my next trick, I shall lie down on the couch and pretend I am a log. Headache has subsided somewhat; that is to say that at least the pounding has gone. Now if only I could get the room to stop going spiny, spiny and my stomach to stop lurching all will be well. Silly head what were you thinking.

Fluffy Kitty.

Ow. Caffeine headache. Waited too long for first cup of coffee. Need Java. I give you picture of fluffy kitty till I can find some.

Movies, Assassins and Sorceresses.

Yesterday was spent in PJs, snuggled up under blankets on the couch reading/watching movies or perched on our computer chairs.

Hugin and I have gotten sucked back into Diablo II. They have released this wonderful new mod that introduces new bigger badder villains, allows you to level up like a fiend, and has tons new gear that just waiting to be acquired by some greedy sorceress [Hugin]. It has been quite a while since we have played together, I had gotten really tired of seeing the same old maps and had lost interest a couple of months ago. I was hoping that they would come out with a Diablo III soon, but until they do the new mod looks like it can provide hours of silly, monster bashing fun. Must resist the temptation to keep playing!

Resolutions.
I am not very good at keeping New Years Resolutions. The will to make them is always there but the will to keep them wanes quite quickly. It usually takes about a two weeks and my New Years Resolutions has flown out, read been chucked out with great oomph, the window. So this year instead of the usual: I will try and keep things tidy, procrastinate less, try and keep in touch with people [I am horrible at writing letters, so horrible that my sisters have all but giving up on me], work out and ever other manner real time promise I make myself, I am going to try something a little different.

This year instead of resolving the former, I am going to resolve to live and enjoy life more, to appreciate all the wonderful moments because they are indeed precious, to not always shy away from people or adventure and the big one for me, to learn to love myself a little bit more, for I am not very good at that, and maybe, just maybe, I’ll surprise myself along the way.

In Pictures.
I love looking at the year in pictures though they always make me tear. I wonder if anyone would be interested in throwing together a site of pictures. A Bloggers pictorial year in review.

Here are a few places that I have looked through today, I would suggest grabbing a box of Kleenex for some of them.

Time magazine
BBC
MSN
New York Times
Canada.com