Note to self, there are two "o's" and only one "b" in scoobyd. Turns out I actually sent the Merilus pics to someone called scobbyd. :P
As for the Canucks.. I still just Believe.
I don't really know where this would rank in the posting hierarchy, I am basically posting what I wrote yesterday but was unable to post, along with today's stuff. Let me explain:
My 19" NEC has been acting up over the last week (it is 6 years old), you will be working away and then "Shwink" you have a lovely screen that is only 1/4 of an inch high across the middle of the screen. Called a buddy of mine to ask him about it and he indicated to me that it might be fixable, but don't count on it, the part might be too much to bother. So, I was in the middle of updating my chronicle, almost 24 hours later and I now own a new ViewSonic G90f 19" flat screen. Sure I would have rather gone with a LCD screen but fact is, money is rather tight. This monitor is nothing to shake a stick at though, pretty sweet if you ask me. The good thing is I can now post yesterday's and today's stuff.
To add to my recent problems I had a little incident with my glasses, which are now being sent away for repair (with any luck they might be covered on warranty). Presently i am waiting for the third thing to happen, as things usually follow the age old pattern of coming in threes with me.
Will keep those reading apprised.
Last week, or what there was of it (set aside the fact that there was a long weekend with Monday a holiday), I spent doing Market Surveys as part of my commitment to the SEP Program. Basically you have to prove market interest and that your business is a viable one by getting 50 surveys done. So I went out into the deepest darkest corners of Chilliwack, as well as many other places, to Survey the Market. I got 51 by Thursday evening and summarized the results making my Friday Meeting to go over it all. Big Thank You, goes out to a certain someone for showing up and taking control of the meeting in order to help both Bear and I out. Thanks Dude! !
With the surveys out of the way I spent a peaceful weekend with the family, worked on some things here and there, got some help from another certain someone with filling out the actual application for the SEP grant. Thanks Dude! !
So today was back to actual code, felt refreshing after all the paperwork. More of that to come of course but, well you know what I mean. I was itching all day to hit some balls though (golf balls). SO tonight I am going to get the clubs cleaned out and take Tyler to the range after he gets home from school tomorrow.
My next project, aside from work is to get a gallery going here. I sent some files to scoobyd last week( she had put up some Merilus pics), but she has been pretty busy too with the new job and all and hasn't put them up so I thought what the heck, put em up yourself. So I will have to look into that. Well speaking of which I should get back at it...
I am speechless ! ! ! The Canucks come through with one of the most disciplined, and hard fought games they have played EVER! Look Out Minnesota, cause there is a freight train heading your way!
Not really much to report, I have been trying to get people to fill out my Market Survey for me, as part of my commitment to the SEP Program. I sent out 250 e-mails yesterday to focus market businesses, I got one person to fill out a survey. Don't blame them though, I have been trashing those annoying e-mails forever myself.
Looking for ward to the game tonight, basically sticking to Bear's advice and Believing that they are going to do it.
Well back at it, going to hit the streets again this afternoon and see if can't get some more Surveys completed.
Of course everyone knows that when your bandwagon crashes, and it is not the fault of those on the bandwagon per say, one or two "bandwagoneers" can be thrown clear of the incident. These bandwagoneer(s) then could be considered to be "bandwagon-less" and if, and I do say if, in this state of bandwagon-less-ness, one accidently got on another teams bandwagon, such a move would be ruled fair play.
Seriously, I am upset to say the least with the play of the Canucks, but as a true fan, I really don;t blame it on the players. Sure the team did have the BEST single line in the NHL regular season ( and we know who they are Bert, Nas, Mo), but the weight cannot be sustained( obviously) on just them. I continuously said all year long to my friends and family, "when is the ownership going to wake up and buy someone who will give them another high scoring line"? Sure Linden has helped in getting the Bobsey twins out of the corners and in front of the net to help score. Truth is they need more.
I really still do have hope, they say that the odds are against teams coming back from a 3-1 deficit in the playoffs and taking a series, but the Canucks have done it twice before. I really hope they do, for their sake. THey really are a great team, but no one is going to give them the respect they deserve unless they go further in the playoffs.
Incidently I did joke with the guys at slot cars that the Blues would take the series in 5. I really hope that I am wrong!
Well off to pound the pavement today and the next week or so to do my Marketing Survey, may the force be with me!
Just kidding! ! ! !
BandWagon Rule Extension
The list that some of us might consider adding:
This is like a Canadian Sports Day.
Paul Tracy wins his 3rd straight CART Series race at the Long Beach Grand Prix. Paul, this year racing for Team Players Forsythe Racing is well on his way to this years championship.
I also haven't mentioned(I guess I should because Shaaron is a curling fan), that Randy Ferbey captured The Worlds today as well. Big day for Canadian sports.
As I write this the Edmonton Oilers just beat Dallas Whoa! ! !
What a day for Mike Weir, and what a day for Canada. Mike Weir has won The Masters , one of Golf's most prestigious Majors.
Being an avid golfer, and a Canadian, I have followed Mike's career for a long time. I also have his one of his book's, and when playing Links on the PC I play as Mike( also being a fellow left handed golfer). IT was tense watching it on TV, which really puts it all into perspective and helps you appreciate what kind of guy Mike is. After bombing out when being in this position before, in the final grouping at the 1999 PGA Championships paired with Tiger Woods, he went to work, learning from the experience. There was no give up in his game today ! Mike you are Awesome ! ! ! The Green Jacket looks good on you Mike ! ! !
Looks like Dan the Man Cloutier played the role of doctor and laid the fix on St. Lous's offense last night in the Canucks 2-1 Victory. Now that is more like it. I was impressed with the way they came out first thing and displayed a physical presence. Even if the Canucks lost this game you could not knock them in any way, they played with heart and grit, 2 things that got them where they are. I am sure we will see a different team for the rest of the series. Dan Cloutier play absolutely awesome stopping many shots that were game saving plays. Well done Canucks ! ! ! !
You would think that with all the money they pay the Vancouver Canucks training staff that one of them would know enough about first aid to apply the Heimlich Maneuver. It is obvious, that the Canucks are still choking (self diagnosed by the captain Marcus Naslund himself).
Went to my meeting this morning with the SEP Program people, things went well and are progressing nicely. I am in the market surveying section and have the next few weeks cut out for me. Not much really to say other than that, marketing is not my favorite thing to do, but I have been very successful at getting support from people for things. I have a lot of business contacts where I have solicited for the Fish & Game club in the past, some of which I will be approaching as they are now perspective customers. Any tips and or guidance is welcomed and greatly appreciated.
Yesterday was rather uneventful, got my hair cut and went back for an adjustment with my glasses. They are not sitting right, and from what I have heard this is a normal process until you get them right. I returned this morning as well to get further adjustment, I was so fed up with them last night I just took them off. That is the wrong thing to do because I got a headache without them last night, and had to go through the procedure again this morning, then again I just could be whining a bit too much here :P They haven't moved since so I think they are just about there.
Well tonight is slot racing; I just finished getting Tyler's and My cars ready for the big race, as it is the start of another 8 week session. Should be fun, it always is, the only thing wrong lately is that since I have been helping in the process of getting some of the new guys running fast, they are beating me. I guess one thing could be said for me being fair at least.
The other thing tonight of course is the first game of the playoffs for the Canucks. I just will say that NOTHING would give me more pleasure ( with regards to hockey :) ), than having to eat some or all of my harsh words about the Canucks.
Ok, so I get to our friends house, and I am walking downstairs to their computer desk and their box is connecting to the net all by itself( yes they are still dial-up customers). I got to hear the tell tale modem squeal, haven't heard that for awhile. I then think to myself, this can't be good, as they don't have anything that does this automatically, or at least they didn't think so. I installed some Symantec products (yes I believe in them), and after updating them and scanning the system for viruses, I loaded Ad-aware. I think gator that was the culprit, although it found something called cydoor and alexa running as well. Who knows, it is all clean and clear and they are safe again, for awhile.
Oh, and we were paid in Jello! Our friends make this really kewl layered Jello stuff which everyone seems to go nuts for. I forget what it's called but the jelly is firm so it can be cut into squares. Shaaron and the kids really like it.
Well I am now wearing my glasses, although I might say this is going to get a bit of getting used to. The prescription is much stronger than what I had before, but the big thing is I don't wear them, and now I am supposed to all the time. I now have a splitting headache which I was supposed to expect, but it sure is nice when I look at the ole' screen and SEE IT !
Spent 3 hours this morning updating winXP. Yes, it took 3 hours for it to complete, I kept on having to shut down reboot run windows update again and then reboot... this probably comes as no surprise to most of you though. What a pain in the butt.
With all that said, I am taking an evening off (usually don't really work until Tyler is in bed), and heading over to a friend's that has a possible "virus" (god forbid), to check it out. You know, the regular friendly neighborhood computer guy thing to do. Actually they are good friends of ours so it is not all that bad, it will be good to socialize for a change. :)
For a lack of anything else intelligent to post I thought what the heck. After looking at Silverstr's "Diamonds are Forever", and the reference to your pet. Then reading Arcterex's "Keeping the Boys", I thought hey, what an great idea: "Keeping the Boys Forever". Think about it, or maybe not.
Also from the human perspective: What better way to continuously say I love you!
:) Maybe I just read these two articles together at the wrong time?
The Canucks are just that, and it looks like they always will be. Given the division on a silver platter with gold lining, the blow it again. I am beginning to think that they really don't like the Stanley Cup. They surely have none with any drive on their team other than the person that has been there: Trevor Linden. I feel for Trevor, surrounded by so called super stars, dealt back to a team that showed promise, but the key there is "showed". Sure I like the Canucks, and enjoyed their season but you never ever remember who finished second.
Great teams overcome, and come out on top, the Colorado Avalanche are just that. Behind by an almost unreachable distance they closed in on and have passed the Canucks to win the Division. Peter Forsberg has all but won the Art Ross Trophy and Milan Hyduk (spelling?) has taken the Rocket Richard. Naslund, Bertuzzi who? The big thing is they played so many of these games this year flat footed and without any real determination. I am very disappointed, as a fan that has invested so much towards this team, they could of at least tried!
Laying in bed thinking "what a waste of time, I could be doing something more constructive", so I got up to do some work. Crashed really early last night, like 9:00pm, so it isn't surprising that I am up before the birds.
I went to the eye doctors for my usual checkup Friday, and found that I have some early diabetic deterioration in my left eye. Nothing to worry about other than the fact that it has started, and I need more regular visits. I also will be a regular glasses wearer, I submitted my prescription and will be picking them up on Tuesday. My left eye again the culprit, requiring the correction, the good thing is I won't be squinting at the monitor anymore.
Had a good talk with Silverstr on Friday, if anyone knows me I can be lacking in the area of self confidence at times, he helped get me back in focus, Thanks Dude! So the work is steady as ever, tested the inventory application I am working on with 30k items to see if it bogged with really date volume, and it didn't even cough, so thats good. I once again freed up some prior commitments to allow for more work to be concentrated into next week, so things are looking up.
The one thing I haven't mentioned recently is my sound upgrade. Sure it IS NOT something that I absolutely needed, but I had the money in my pocket and couldn't resist, and I think there are times when one just has to do this. Also since I do enjoy my music loud, clear, and crisp while I code I just had to. I went out and bought a set of Altec Lansing 641's, quite possibly the ultimate in computer sound. I know there is better (although you then have to invest more), and many that try to equal these, and some might say "a set of Monsoons does the trick ". You really have to experience good sound before you judge though. These 641's are awesome. I didn't think patio doors could rattle that much from bass! Any way I better get some work done before the kids get up... l8r
I apologize once again, I have been so busy lately, I am so far behind I think I'm ahead (that never did sound very good but couldn't think of anything better). What I can promise though is that I will be in front of the computer in the near future (like tomorrow) for regular business hours at the bare minimum, and promise to keep my chronicle updated more often, if not daily.
Does anyone read it on a regular basis? If you do please email me with a simple yes as the subject, if you have time, always wondered who does. Since I am one of the last of the people I know not to be running MT or something similar, I have no way for people to comment. Maybe I will make the switch soon, when I have some free time.
I have booked an appointment with the SEP Program people on April 10th to discuss my future business, I have been busy getting all sorts of things done and out of the way so I can devote more time to just coding. I have now 4 beta testers lined up that will be running Inman ( the inventory program I am working on), and will have in place 2 tracks running TrackMan (the slot track statistics program I am working on). I just need to clean it all up and add some more things, the work seems to be growing lately. Every time I get one thing done I think of more to do without getting to the next thing. I guess there is something to be said about time management, I am getting a lot of work done but seem to be a little disorganized at this point. There is light at the end f the present tunnel though, and I do say present tunnel, because I have more planned down the road. The stuff I am working on at this point is simple.
Off the subject of work, I went ahead and bought the RC Plane from Silverstr. I haven't had it flying yet but talked to the instructor today about the flying club in town. Tyler is excited. Well I guess I better get back at it..