What do I have in common with the Titanic this morning? Well nothing really except that ice killed the Titanic and darn near killed me. No I was not hit by a berg in the north Atlantic. I slipped on it under the snow. A common theme I know but one that bears repeating. Be careful out there hidden dangers lurk everywhere under an innocent pile of white. Well here in Calgary at least.
It was the subject of an item on the local news just last night. And it is the reason I can barely type this morning. While walking the dogs I wiped out on the ice twice. There is no warning and no forgiveness. One step and you are on your backside on the ground. The girls even hit the ground. That was the only warning I would get. Dixie is sporting a sore hip and Belle took one on the nose. I have a somewhat less than useful shoulder and a pulled hip. But then again I fall harder than the girls. At any rate when you see us coming down the walk we look like walking wounded.
On the plus side the temperature over the next couple of days is going to be on the plus side. Maybe as much as 10 C on Friday. That should take care of the snow and anything hiding under it. I hope. Otherwise its going to be a dicey few days till people get their walks cleared.
I better sign off. This is silly but it is actually painful to type and mousing is nearly out of the question. I guess I landed just right for a guy in the computer business. I wonder if walking the dogs is covered by workers comp. Some one's got to pay and it wasn't even the dogs pulling me off balance either this time so I can't even punish them. Maybe I'll just be sore and surly with everyone. Curmudgeon becomes me.
Grumbling, moaning and complaining ...
Randy
Thursday, February 28, 2008
Saturday, February 9, 2008
Sore Fingers
I tryed to learn guitar many years ago. All I accomplished was a) I can tune a Guitar and b) I got sore fingers. I don't think I ever did develop calluses on my fingers so since I was not too big on pain I let it lapse. Well lo these many years later I thought I would take it up again. What is different now now I have the intenet.
Let me explain. Now I can go to various sites on the intenet and get on line lessons from someone who actually knows what the hell they are doing with a guitar. They can show me what the cords are supposed to sound like and how to finger the chords. They can show me how to properly strum the guitar and hold it properly. And they give you files to play along with. You are not just sitting there plunking along on your own.
So what have I learned in the last two weeks. Well I still don't like pain. And learning is still a painful process. Nylon strings help somewhat they are not as tough as the steel strings. They actually give a bet when you press on them. And I am actually learning a few chords and how to strum. No Johnny Cash just yet, although I am dressed in black today, but I feel like I am making progress.
What do I want to get out of this. I want to be able to play a few songs so that I can accompny myself singing. Just to be able to tinker a bit if you like. I don't care if I never get good enough for someone else but I want to be good enough for myself that I can learn how to play by ear.
If I can accomplish that I will have made my goal. In the meantime I have sore fingers. But in the plus side they are recovering faster. The first day they were sore for three days. All I could manage was 20 minutes every few days. Today they are good enough that I can type this in a few hours. I understand that when I get calluses I will be set. Then all I have to master is, well playing. I can't wait.
As for now, like the old joke goes: How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice!
My cyber instructor says 20 minutes a day is better than 3 hours on the weekend. And he's right. It will just take me time to get organized. And set aside half an hour a day to practice. If I want it enough I can do it. When it's 40 below and we don't walk the girls its easy. It will take some planning when it warms up.
Now any requests?
Randy
Let me explain. Now I can go to various sites on the intenet and get on line lessons from someone who actually knows what the hell they are doing with a guitar. They can show me what the cords are supposed to sound like and how to finger the chords. They can show me how to properly strum the guitar and hold it properly. And they give you files to play along with. You are not just sitting there plunking along on your own.
So what have I learned in the last two weeks. Well I still don't like pain. And learning is still a painful process. Nylon strings help somewhat they are not as tough as the steel strings. They actually give a bet when you press on them. And I am actually learning a few chords and how to strum. No Johnny Cash just yet, although I am dressed in black today, but I feel like I am making progress.
What do I want to get out of this. I want to be able to play a few songs so that I can accompny myself singing. Just to be able to tinker a bit if you like. I don't care if I never get good enough for someone else but I want to be good enough for myself that I can learn how to play by ear.
If I can accomplish that I will have made my goal. In the meantime I have sore fingers. But in the plus side they are recovering faster. The first day they were sore for three days. All I could manage was 20 minutes every few days. Today they are good enough that I can type this in a few hours. I understand that when I get calluses I will be set. Then all I have to master is, well playing. I can't wait.
As for now, like the old joke goes: How do you get to Carnegie Hall? Practice!
My cyber instructor says 20 minutes a day is better than 3 hours on the weekend. And he's right. It will just take me time to get organized. And set aside half an hour a day to practice. If I want it enough I can do it. When it's 40 below and we don't walk the girls its easy. It will take some planning when it warms up.
Now any requests?
Randy
Saturday, February 2, 2008
Groundhog Day
According to rodents we will have an early spring. Wireton Willie and some other gopher from Nova Scotia did not dee their shadows and so an early spring. Which in this neck of the woods means only 5 more weeks of winter a big Chinook and a two foot dump of snow just for the heck of it.
If you beleive that a rat can prognisticate the weather then let me tell you about this bridge I have for sale. It is a bright sunny cold day here in western Canada and spring time in the Rockies is still a couple or 3 months off. March 21 is the first official day of spring and if it warms before that count your blessings. We always get a final blast of winter in the form of a big dump of snow in late March or early April sometimes as late as May and that is the end of winter here, Mother nature's way of saying "And another thing!". It is the way of things and that is that.
But Groundhog day is a way to get a bit of hope. To see the light at the end of the tunnel and for that it works. The little critters did not see their shadow so a break from this bleak and lately very cold winter is on its way and soon. And with that to cling to the cold and snow and darkness is just a bit easier to take.
I'll bet that is what Groundhog day was invented for. Some old european guy in the middle of a dreary Polish winter decided he needed a way to get his neighbours to feel better. And what beter way than a magic gopher. Yank him out of a fine winter slumber and if it is a dreary day proclaim an early spring then everyone off to the local watering hole for a few cool ones. An excuse for a party and if the prediction fails blame the rat. Darn clever if you ask me.
And that is all that it is. A bit of animal abuse rousting the poor bugger that way and a party. But if it works and gets everyone out of their winter funk so much the better.
I don't have to rely on meterological rodents. I have my regular dog walks to keep me feeling good. After a long day at the office its good to get the girls out on the leash. And if you've got something on your mind or to get off your chest you can tell the dogs. The girls are good listeners most of the time. (They just have a little trouble with obedience.) And talking to dogs is much better than talking to yourself as you go walking in a winter wonderland. But if all you have is Groundhog Day I hope the promise of an early spring helps you get by.
Just putting the dog's boots and coats on for thier walk...
Randy
If you beleive that a rat can prognisticate the weather then let me tell you about this bridge I have for sale. It is a bright sunny cold day here in western Canada and spring time in the Rockies is still a couple or 3 months off. March 21 is the first official day of spring and if it warms before that count your blessings. We always get a final blast of winter in the form of a big dump of snow in late March or early April sometimes as late as May and that is the end of winter here, Mother nature's way of saying "And another thing!". It is the way of things and that is that.
But Groundhog day is a way to get a bit of hope. To see the light at the end of the tunnel and for that it works. The little critters did not see their shadow so a break from this bleak and lately very cold winter is on its way and soon. And with that to cling to the cold and snow and darkness is just a bit easier to take.
I'll bet that is what Groundhog day was invented for. Some old european guy in the middle of a dreary Polish winter decided he needed a way to get his neighbours to feel better. And what beter way than a magic gopher. Yank him out of a fine winter slumber and if it is a dreary day proclaim an early spring then everyone off to the local watering hole for a few cool ones. An excuse for a party and if the prediction fails blame the rat. Darn clever if you ask me.
And that is all that it is. A bit of animal abuse rousting the poor bugger that way and a party. But if it works and gets everyone out of their winter funk so much the better.
I don't have to rely on meterological rodents. I have my regular dog walks to keep me feeling good. After a long day at the office its good to get the girls out on the leash. And if you've got something on your mind or to get off your chest you can tell the dogs. The girls are good listeners most of the time. (They just have a little trouble with obedience.) And talking to dogs is much better than talking to yourself as you go walking in a winter wonderland. But if all you have is Groundhog Day I hope the promise of an early spring helps you get by.
Just putting the dog's boots and coats on for thier walk...
Randy
Tuesday, January 29, 2008
Life at 50 Below
With the wind chill it was -49C yesterday. Cold in any language to be sure. It was the first day that I have not walked the dogs in the nearly two years I have owned them. At that temperature it is just too dangerous. Boots and coats not withstanding. The Icy blast is supposed to last until Thursday. With a bit of luck I will be able to take them out Thursday night. But for now I think they are happy with 5 minute zips outside to do their business. And not a lot of time wasted at that. Funny how at 50 below you don't have to inspect every bump under the snow!
So at this temperature you can guess that the weather was the lead story on the news. How cold it is, how the EMS has been touring downtown to look for homeless who might be in trouble, how the C Train was running late because of the cold etc etc. Like we had not had enough of the weather already.
But then their survey poll asked how do you deal with 50 below. They of course were looking for responses like "I bundle up and only go out if I have to" or "I cocoon and stay inside". Well that's nice work if you can get it but some of us have to go out. We deal with it by; well dealing with it. Dress warmly, and do the bare minimum outside. For some that is a brisk dash from the house to the garage into the car, from the car to the office etc. For others like our postmen you bundle up and take it on the chin. Then again Postal delivery another job that is overpaid every day except these then it evens out.
But getting back to the news poll they wanted to know how to deal with 50 below well a picture is worth a thousand words. The girls know how.
In my next life I want to come back as a spoiled beagle.
Trying to thaw out....
Randy
So at this temperature you can guess that the weather was the lead story on the news. How cold it is, how the EMS has been touring downtown to look for homeless who might be in trouble, how the C Train was running late because of the cold etc etc. Like we had not had enough of the weather already.
But then their survey poll asked how do you deal with 50 below. They of course were looking for responses like "I bundle up and only go out if I have to" or "I cocoon and stay inside". Well that's nice work if you can get it but some of us have to go out. We deal with it by; well dealing with it. Dress warmly, and do the bare minimum outside. For some that is a brisk dash from the house to the garage into the car, from the car to the office etc. For others like our postmen you bundle up and take it on the chin. Then again Postal delivery another job that is overpaid every day except these then it evens out.
But getting back to the news poll they wanted to know how to deal with 50 below well a picture is worth a thousand words. The girls know how.
In my next life I want to come back as a spoiled beagle.
Trying to thaw out....
Randy
Monday, January 21, 2008
Dead Cartridges For the Last TIme
Dead ink cartridges again. I went to print a page on my Lexmark Ink jet printer and the ink cartridges were dried up. I think I got 25 pages out of these but 20 of them were clean the head pages. So what's a guy to do? Why rant grumble and complain of course. Which I did. The dogs ignored me but Ellen started looking through the flyers. Staples has nothing on for ink cartridges (how is anyone ever going to do their Christmas Thank-you cards?) But they had a Color Laser on for $170. This weekend only.
Well off to the Staples Office Supplies store I go to get a new set of cartridges (and yes I need both). They are $79. About 3 bucks per page not counting paper. It's my own darn fault because I don't print that much at home and if you don't the darn ink just dries up. And in the winter in Canada with the relative humidity hovering around 0% those cartridges just do not last. While I am there I decided to check out the laser. And what it came down to was that for the cost of 2 sets of cartridges I could get a Color Laser. Even with the starter toners I should be able to get 500+ pages. And the toner likes to stay dry. So I broke down and bought it.
Now I know I won't be able to print pictures on it (yet). But I can still edit the pictures I want the way that I want and then fire them over to Wally Mart to get them printed for 20 cents each which is cheap. And I read about photo paper that works in a laser that will soon be coming to an Office Depot near you. So the Laser was a good idea.
It is a Samsung CLP300. According to the stickers the smallest color laser in the world. According to the manual a small printer with big printer capabilities. Full color or black and white, poster printing (it prints your picture /poster over several pages then you glue them together a nice to have) double sided printing, Booklet printing, all kinds of things. I can even configure it as a network printer so I would be able to run it over the wireless net without having my desktop computer running should I decide to do that. It kind of reminds me of a little dog that thinks that it is a German Shepherd. A small package with big features.
I played with it for part of Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon and I like it. Yeah it's just a printer but in this case at least I think I got my money's worth. We will see over time how well it works but for now I am a happy camper. I'm going to give it a big test and print out the User manual double sided and in full color. Just think How much more I will be able to do if I actually RTFM (read the freaking manual).
Sitting here sniffing printer fumes....
Randy
Well off to the Staples Office Supplies store I go to get a new set of cartridges (and yes I need both). They are $79. About 3 bucks per page not counting paper. It's my own darn fault because I don't print that much at home and if you don't the darn ink just dries up. And in the winter in Canada with the relative humidity hovering around 0% those cartridges just do not last. While I am there I decided to check out the laser. And what it came down to was that for the cost of 2 sets of cartridges I could get a Color Laser. Even with the starter toners I should be able to get 500+ pages. And the toner likes to stay dry. So I broke down and bought it.
Now I know I won't be able to print pictures on it (yet). But I can still edit the pictures I want the way that I want and then fire them over to Wally Mart to get them printed for 20 cents each which is cheap. And I read about photo paper that works in a laser that will soon be coming to an Office Depot near you. So the Laser was a good idea.
It is a Samsung CLP300. According to the stickers the smallest color laser in the world. According to the manual a small printer with big printer capabilities. Full color or black and white, poster printing (it prints your picture /poster over several pages then you glue them together a nice to have) double sided printing, Booklet printing, all kinds of things. I can even configure it as a network printer so I would be able to run it over the wireless net without having my desktop computer running should I decide to do that. It kind of reminds me of a little dog that thinks that it is a German Shepherd. A small package with big features.
I played with it for part of Saturday evening and Sunday afternoon and I like it. Yeah it's just a printer but in this case at least I think I got my money's worth. We will see over time how well it works but for now I am a happy camper. I'm going to give it a big test and print out the User manual double sided and in full color. Just think How much more I will be able to do if I actually RTFM (read the freaking manual).
Sitting here sniffing printer fumes....
Randy
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