Although it's a civic holiday across Canada today, in BC we refer to it as "BC Day." British Columbians, even in Canada, are a unique breed. Some might see as "more American" --especially West Coast Americans, but I believe we've taken it even further --we're a special bunch, indeed!
With that in mind, I've 'borrowed' the following from the Vancouver Province...
You're Not a Real B.C.er unless...
You're not a real B.C.er unless you picked Terry Fox as the Greatest Canadian... but secretly, you wished it was Pamela Anderson... and you realize you don't know a single thing about David Suzuki.
You're not a real B.C.er unless you've gone up the Grouse Grind and... come down with the help of North Shore Search and Rescue.
You're not a real B.C.er unless you've been to the PNE and... eaten those little doughnuts and... returned them in an unorthodox manner from the top of the Coaster.
You're not a real B.C.er unless you've been to White Spot and... you've lied about your age to remain eligible for a Pirate Pak.
You're not a real B.C.er unless you've chanted "Leafs suck!"... alone in front of your TV.
You're not a real B.C.er unless you've spent 10 minute battling a dogfish you thought was a Coho... and cut yourself trying to release it.
You're not a real B.C.er unless you've switched allegiances from the Grizzlies to the Mavericks to the Suns.
You're not a real B.C.er unless you've slammed the Vancouver Olympics organizers for picking the inukshuk as their logo and... don't have a clue what an inukshuk is.
You're not a real B.C.er unless you love going to the Vancouver Aquarium but... wonder about the plight of animals in captivity... and wish Vancouver had a world-class zoo.
You're not a real B.C.er unless you've scoffed down a Sunshine Breakfast on the Queen of Esquimalt and... can only stomach it because you haven't eaten for 12 hours... because you failed to realize there'd be a four-sailing wait.
You're not a real B.C.er unless you've been to B.C. Place stadium and bitched about the Lions playing indoors on a hot summer night... but wouldn't be caught dead going to an outdoor stadium in the rain.
You're not a real B.C.er unless you've visited the Okanagan and taken a wine tour... but still think that Kokanee is for the sophisticated palate.
You're not a real B.C.er unless if you know how to spell Tsawassen (or is it Tsawwasen? Oh never mind). (for the record, it's Tsawwassen.)
You're not a real B.C.er unless you've gone to the Merritt Mountain Music Festival... and not actually seen one single musical act... and returned home with a cowboy hat and a concert t-shirt... but not a single pair of pants you took with you.
You're not a real B.C.er unless if you haven't been to a Vancouver Canucks game... and cursed the day the Clapper was born.
You're not a real B.C.er unless you've visited Point Roberts, enjoyed a pint at The Breakers, filled up on cheap gas... and been strip-searched at Customs for bringing in too much cheap American cheese.
You're not a real B.C.er unless you've laughed at people who believe in Ogopogo... but are too scared to swim in Lake Okanagan.
You're not a real B.C.er unless you are spending 90 per cent of your wages to live in a nice neighbourhood... and had your nice neighbour on one side busted for a grow op... and the cool neighbour on the other side busted for a meth lab.
You're not a real B.C.er unless you've passed Ben Affleck on Robson Street... and thought it cool that he's making yet another movie here... and realized you can't remember one single thing he's done.
You're not a real B.C.er unless you have ordered a large pizza at 2 a.m. on a Saturday morning and... it does not contain at least two of the following toppings: barbecued chicken, pine nuts, shallots, duck l'orange or tofu.
You're not a real B.C.er unless you've been to Nat Bailey Stadium on a warm summer evening... got into your car and realized you have no idea whether the C's just won or lost... can't recall the opponent and don't really care.
You're not a real B.C.er unless you have had a movie or TV show shoot in your neighbourhood... and you haven't cursed under your breath at the latte-holding wannabes standing on the street looking important and waving you away from your regular parking spot.
You're not a real B.C.er unless you've been to a Chinatown night market and bought a Gucci purse for $5... and wondered, afterward, if Gucci is supposed to be spelled with four c's.
You're not a real B.C.er unless you realize what an institution Tony Parsons is.
You're not a real B.C.er unless you really are sick of the rain... but still won't let that whole David Duchovny thing go.
You're not a real B.C.er unless you've waved a white towel and... actually understood why you did.
You're not a real B.C.er unless you're curious how much those AirCare guys make.
You're not a real B.C.er unless you can drink a venti strong blend on you mountain bike, crossing a bridge during morning ruch hour while also eating an organic millet muffin and checking your e-mail on your Blackberry.
You're not a real B.C.er unless you've innocently asked your dad, "Why is everyone booing the goalie?"
Sunday, July 31, 2005
Thursday, July 28, 2005
Birthday Boy
This is the 4th year in a row I've turned 29... That means I can officially add 'dammit' to the end of "I'm 29."
I'm 29, dammit.
See?
It works.
I realize some of you are now doing the math and thinking "33?" Nope. I turned 29. Then I turned 29 again, then again, and then one more time (at least) just to make sure I have the right age.
29.
Dammit.
My birthday started out with the usual traffic reporter on the radio giving the "all clear on all routes" announcement, which somehow automatically adds 25-30 minutes to the commute.
Sure enough, I didn't get another 10 blocks before coming across a 20-minute wait as a motorhome had managed to block 2 lanes of commuter traffic at 7am. NOT the best way for tourists to be introduced to the city, eh?
Today was life drawing in the morning and is it too much to ask for a female model on my birthday?
Yes. It was the same guy we had a few weeks ago, but before I had a chance to blurt out "Seen it!", one classmate waited until the model had stripped down to the bare essentials to announce it was my birthday and everyone should sing for me.
Why the naked guy in the middle of the room felt compelled to sing-a-long, I have no idea. He must be really comfortable around us....
I've ranted before about people asking me for gift ideas and when I give them an idea in their price range and everything, they go out and get me something either:
a - crappy
or
b - useless
Sure, it's the thought that counts. But when they give it to me and say "You're hard to buy for!", then I get annoyed because I know they were in the store and thought "Screw it. He'll like these pot holders!"
I remember when I was a pre-teen, people would usually buy me clothes because they couldn't think of a good toy (what!?!) for me, or --once they heard I was interested in comics, they'd got ot the store and buy a copy of A-Team #3 or Prince Namor #4 and give those to me.
"You're hard to buy for!"
Years ago, I told my wife that a really cool Christmas present would be the Beatles Anthology. It was (at the time) in our price range for gifts, so I thought I'd take the chance. I guess she got confused (that lower IQ score on the test...) and instead of music by John Lennon, I got music by:
1. John Madgett
2. John McDermott.
I have no idea what John Madgett plays --his is still in the original plastic. McDermott plays Celtic music and his version of 'Danny Boy' can make you weepy.
But then, so can John Madgett's entire CD when you're expecting the Beatles....
My in-laws are famous for buying me strange things. An axe (they wrapped it). A Canadian Tire semi-truck model. A $25 gift card to Linens 'n Things... don't ask.
My wife's brother and his wife aren't much better. One year they asked me what my favorite movies were out of a list and they checked off all my favorites and left 'Planet of the Apes' blank. So, they sent me Planet of the Apes and Fellowship of the Ring (which I'd just told them we'd purchased the big-box collector's set...). The next year, when I said "send me a gift certificate!", they instead sent me a Scooby Doo t-shirt.
Size small.
So, this year, I'm looking through a flyer and see a store has the Simpson's season 1 DVD set on sale for (get this!) $17!! "Ooh!" I exclaim, "What a great price! I'd love to have that!" My wife looks at me and asks, "Is that a good birthday present for you?" It's a great present, I tell her, but I also scoff and let her know I won't hold my breath --still waiting for that Beatles Anthology from, what? Ten years ago, now?
More on that in sec.
My mother, bless her heart, learned many years ago (when I was 19, dammit) that the ideal gift for me is some cash and an opportunity to spend it. How did she learn this lesson?
Oh yes! Go-go-go Joseph! 3rd row, baby. Ninety-seven bucks to sit and watch Donny Osmond with his sweet mullet dance for a "salivating" crowd.
Donny? Ever wonder who the guy was with major scowl on his face from curtain rise to the second encore when he finally just gave you the finger and stormed out?
Yep, that was me.
So, Mom's learned. This year, initially, it was going to be a copy of "Grand Theft Auto - San Andreas," but the game was pulled from shelves before I --or she-- picked it up. I did get a copy eventually, but I still had $100 to spend on my own.
So, what to get the guy who's so difficult to shop for? With $100 from Mom:
1. Ice Age DVD --great for me and the kids. They can watch it and not scream at each other for 90 minutes (greatest gift ever!). I can also use it for school purposes by studying the animation techniques and storyboards.
2. A $5 computer game to distract the kids.
3. A box of cookies. Happy kids = happy Daddy.
4. Lunch for my wife & I.
5. A used copy (they do exist!) of Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code.
6. A haircut.
7. A new set of pencils for school.
So, too difficult to buy for... Imagine my shock as I open my first gift from my wife. Feels like a book. Weighs more like a book than a DVD... but maybe a DVD box set?
I tear off a strip of wrapping paper.
Matt Groening characters strike out from the gift inside!
Excitedly, I can't wait!
I tear off the wrapping paper with so much anticipation!
she did it!
She did it!!
She...
DAMMIT!!!
One of these years.... one of these years, she'll finally get it! She'll finally understand my frustration!
ONE!
OF!
THESE!
YEARS!!!!!
Maybe when I'm 29.
Dammit.
I'm 29, dammit.
See?
It works.
I realize some of you are now doing the math and thinking "33?" Nope. I turned 29. Then I turned 29 again, then again, and then one more time (at least) just to make sure I have the right age.
29.
Dammit.
My birthday started out with the usual traffic reporter on the radio giving the "all clear on all routes" announcement, which somehow automatically adds 25-30 minutes to the commute.
Sure enough, I didn't get another 10 blocks before coming across a 20-minute wait as a motorhome had managed to block 2 lanes of commuter traffic at 7am. NOT the best way for tourists to be introduced to the city, eh?
Today was life drawing in the morning and is it too much to ask for a female model on my birthday?
Yes. It was the same guy we had a few weeks ago, but before I had a chance to blurt out "Seen it!", one classmate waited until the model had stripped down to the bare essentials to announce it was my birthday and everyone should sing for me.
Why the naked guy in the middle of the room felt compelled to sing-a-long, I have no idea. He must be really comfortable around us....
I've ranted before about people asking me for gift ideas and when I give them an idea in their price range and everything, they go out and get me something either:
a - crappy
or
b - useless
Sure, it's the thought that counts. But when they give it to me and say "You're hard to buy for!", then I get annoyed because I know they were in the store and thought "Screw it. He'll like these pot holders!"
I remember when I was a pre-teen, people would usually buy me clothes because they couldn't think of a good toy (what!?!) for me, or --once they heard I was interested in comics, they'd got ot the store and buy a copy of A-Team #3 or Prince Namor #4 and give those to me.
"You're hard to buy for!"
Years ago, I told my wife that a really cool Christmas present would be the Beatles Anthology. It was (at the time) in our price range for gifts, so I thought I'd take the chance. I guess she got confused (that lower IQ score on the test...) and instead of music by John Lennon, I got music by:
1. John Madgett
2. John McDermott.
I have no idea what John Madgett plays --his is still in the original plastic. McDermott plays Celtic music and his version of 'Danny Boy' can make you weepy.
But then, so can John Madgett's entire CD when you're expecting the Beatles....
My in-laws are famous for buying me strange things. An axe (they wrapped it). A Canadian Tire semi-truck model. A $25 gift card to Linens 'n Things... don't ask.
My wife's brother and his wife aren't much better. One year they asked me what my favorite movies were out of a list and they checked off all my favorites and left 'Planet of the Apes' blank. So, they sent me Planet of the Apes and Fellowship of the Ring (which I'd just told them we'd purchased the big-box collector's set...). The next year, when I said "send me a gift certificate!", they instead sent me a Scooby Doo t-shirt.
Size small.
So, this year, I'm looking through a flyer and see a store has the Simpson's season 1 DVD set on sale for (get this!) $17!! "Ooh!" I exclaim, "What a great price! I'd love to have that!" My wife looks at me and asks, "Is that a good birthday present for you?" It's a great present, I tell her, but I also scoff and let her know I won't hold my breath --still waiting for that Beatles Anthology from, what? Ten years ago, now?
More on that in sec.
My mother, bless her heart, learned many years ago (when I was 19, dammit) that the ideal gift for me is some cash and an opportunity to spend it. How did she learn this lesson?
Oh yes! Go-go-go Joseph! 3rd row, baby. Ninety-seven bucks to sit and watch Donny Osmond with his sweet mullet dance for a "salivating" crowd.
Donny? Ever wonder who the guy was with major scowl on his face from curtain rise to the second encore when he finally just gave you the finger and stormed out?
Yep, that was me.
So, Mom's learned. This year, initially, it was going to be a copy of "Grand Theft Auto - San Andreas," but the game was pulled from shelves before I --or she-- picked it up. I did get a copy eventually, but I still had $100 to spend on my own.
So, what to get the guy who's so difficult to shop for? With $100 from Mom:
1. Ice Age DVD --great for me and the kids. They can watch it and not scream at each other for 90 minutes (greatest gift ever!). I can also use it for school purposes by studying the animation techniques and storyboards.
2. A $5 computer game to distract the kids.
3. A box of cookies. Happy kids = happy Daddy.
4. Lunch for my wife & I.
5. A used copy (they do exist!) of Dan Brown's Da Vinci Code.
6. A haircut.
7. A new set of pencils for school.
So, too difficult to buy for... Imagine my shock as I open my first gift from my wife. Feels like a book. Weighs more like a book than a DVD... but maybe a DVD box set?
I tear off a strip of wrapping paper.
Matt Groening characters strike out from the gift inside!
Excitedly, I can't wait!
I tear off the wrapping paper with so much anticipation!
she did it!
She did it!!
She...
DAMMIT!!!
One of these years.... one of these years, she'll finally get it! She'll finally understand my frustration!
ONE!
OF!
THESE!
YEARS!!!!!
Maybe when I'm 29.
Dammit.
Tuesday, July 26, 2005
Things That Make You Go Hmmm
Just a quick Top 10:
Things that hopefully over the weekend I can extrapolate for my loyal readers (all 2 of you!):
1. Still addicted to the one game, but also managed to grab a copy of Grand Theft Auto - San Andreas and have a few comments to make about it.
2. Slightly over 2 days to go to my birthday --and with it comes the traditional rant about gift-giving on birthdays (and any gift-giving time of year).
3. My mother gave me my birthday present early. $100 cash. I'll explain during my rant how this is the best gift ever!
4. Every job position I held at my old office has become vacant in the last 2 months. I'm still pondering what that means...
5. Also, my wife is a favorite as a replacement in one of those jobs. Weird, eh?
6. My wife's a little annoyed with me right now because she took an IQ test that I'd scored 153 on a few years back. She scored 129. Hehe.
7. The woman who replaced me (and now might be replaced by my wife) scored 91.
8. I actually had someone refer to me as a 'genius' the other day.
9. The local library had a copy of Da Vinci Code available. It's got pictures.
10. The mental debate rages regarding same sex marriages and what it means to me. Debating whether or not to share my opinion...
Things that hopefully over the weekend I can extrapolate for my loyal readers (all 2 of you!):
1. Still addicted to the one game, but also managed to grab a copy of Grand Theft Auto - San Andreas and have a few comments to make about it.
2. Slightly over 2 days to go to my birthday --and with it comes the traditional rant about gift-giving on birthdays (and any gift-giving time of year).
3. My mother gave me my birthday present early. $100 cash. I'll explain during my rant how this is the best gift ever!
4. Every job position I held at my old office has become vacant in the last 2 months. I'm still pondering what that means...
5. Also, my wife is a favorite as a replacement in one of those jobs. Weird, eh?
6. My wife's a little annoyed with me right now because she took an IQ test that I'd scored 153 on a few years back. She scored 129. Hehe.
7. The woman who replaced me (and now might be replaced by my wife) scored 91.
8. I actually had someone refer to me as a 'genius' the other day.
9. The local library had a copy of Da Vinci Code available. It's got pictures.
10. The mental debate rages regarding same sex marriages and what it means to me. Debating whether or not to share my opinion...
Friday, July 22, 2005
Me Like Hockey
We're maybe 16 minutes away from the NHL 2005 entry draft and highly-touted pick Sidney Crosby is up for the taking.
Technically, any team could land him in the lottery (that's what happens instead of a normal draft order when there's no hockey for an entire year). He's expected to eventually beat Gretzky's records. All of them? Hard to say, but some of them is enough promise for some hapless teams...
I'm watching the sports news right now and chuckling at the text messages coming in from all over Canada. These people, save one from what I saw, have no clue. They're al hoping Crosby goes to their team. It's not going to happen.
Sidney Crosby is going to the New York Rangers for several reasons.
1. Despite the lottery, it will be fixed to have the Rangers win it all.
2. They're the biggest hockey market on the continent.
3. They're losing fans because they haven't made the playoffs with their gigantic salaries in 7 seasons.
4. Personally, I hate the New York Rangers, which means I have to suffer years of watching Crosby play for them. Ugh!
If any other team gets him, I'll be shocked.
I'm hoping if he ends up with another team, it isn't:
*New York Rangers
*Calgary Flames
*St. Louis Blues
*Florida Panthers
*Buffalo Sabres
*Toronto Maple Leafs (they already think they're at the center of the universe)
*Detroit Red Wings
*Dallas Stars
*Philadelphia Flyers
Oh, and whichever teams end up with Brett Hull and/or Jeremy Roenick. Can't stand to listen to either of those guys...
9 minutes to go...
Updated: Well, phew!!
VERY happy to see Pittsburgh get the chance to draft Crosby! I cheered when the Rangers ended up 16th instead of in the top 5. I rubbed my hands in greedy anticipation when my beloved Canucks were in the top 10 (and really didn't deserve to be in the top 25 after the success they've had recently). And then I got worried when I realized there were 2 teams left and the Mighty Ducks were one of them.
Although it would serve Disney right for selling the team and then the team gets one of the best general managers in the league followed by a franchise player in the very next entry draft. Didn't *quite* work out, but GM Brian Burke's still in a beautiful place. I'm sure he's not moping about with the near-win with Crosby. He still has a good pick at #2 and also picks #31 (1st pick in round 2).
And now I've officially bored my regular readers.... :)
Technically, any team could land him in the lottery (that's what happens instead of a normal draft order when there's no hockey for an entire year). He's expected to eventually beat Gretzky's records. All of them? Hard to say, but some of them is enough promise for some hapless teams...
I'm watching the sports news right now and chuckling at the text messages coming in from all over Canada. These people, save one from what I saw, have no clue. They're al hoping Crosby goes to their team. It's not going to happen.
Sidney Crosby is going to the New York Rangers for several reasons.
1. Despite the lottery, it will be fixed to have the Rangers win it all.
2. They're the biggest hockey market on the continent.
3. They're losing fans because they haven't made the playoffs with their gigantic salaries in 7 seasons.
4. Personally, I hate the New York Rangers, which means I have to suffer years of watching Crosby play for them. Ugh!
If any other team gets him, I'll be shocked.
I'm hoping if he ends up with another team, it isn't:
*New York Rangers
*Calgary Flames
*St. Louis Blues
*Florida Panthers
*Buffalo Sabres
*Toronto Maple Leafs (they already think they're at the center of the universe)
*Detroit Red Wings
*Dallas Stars
*Philadelphia Flyers
Oh, and whichever teams end up with Brett Hull and/or Jeremy Roenick. Can't stand to listen to either of those guys...
9 minutes to go...
Updated: Well, phew!!
VERY happy to see Pittsburgh get the chance to draft Crosby! I cheered when the Rangers ended up 16th instead of in the top 5. I rubbed my hands in greedy anticipation when my beloved Canucks were in the top 10 (and really didn't deserve to be in the top 25 after the success they've had recently). And then I got worried when I realized there were 2 teams left and the Mighty Ducks were one of them.
Although it would serve Disney right for selling the team and then the team gets one of the best general managers in the league followed by a franchise player in the very next entry draft. Didn't *quite* work out, but GM Brian Burke's still in a beautiful place. I'm sure he's not moping about with the near-win with Crosby. He still has a good pick at #2 and also picks #31 (1st pick in round 2).
And now I've officially bored my regular readers.... :)
Monday, July 18, 2005
Ain't Nothing
With my 3-day work week and ideas buzzing about all the time, you'd think there'd be a plethora of posts, right?
Well, obviously --no.
Even the crappy weather we've had (one super-hot and humid day followed by a week of rain)
In fact, I think my posts of late have been more about rambling thoughts and basically getting down any thought that crosses my mindbefore it goes away again. I do have one post I want to do, but I'm finding it difficult to write as it's emotional --and really has nothing to do with me directly.
Sometimes those ideas don't come back.
I think I mentioned my super-high marks for the script I had to write last semester. One of my plans was to expand on the idea further over my "summer" break. It was an idea I had about a comic book and I'd never really put any of it in writing before, but just kept the ideas bouncing back and forth in my head. It's been about 10 years since I've had to do any serious creative writing. I'd written two 1-act plays in college and received high marks for both.
Of course, now the question entering my train of thought is: What have I been doing for the past 10 years???
Getting sidetracked again. I didn't expand on the script or even try to work it out logically as a comic book. I think part of the problem right now is that I have a general plot laid out. I have my characters all together (although some still don't have a backstory) and I know who's doing what and when.
But I also have 3, 4, maybe even 5 beginnings to the story. I'm wondering if it's overkill to fit them into a single issue, basically looking at the event from various points of view. I could do it, but then I'm also missing another vital part of the story. I have the beginning(s), I have the end (actually 2, which means I can make a choice as to where the story goes), but I have nothing in between. I'm thinking that the story would be played out in 12 parts --a year-long story, which fits the plot. But with several points to start from, I could possibly have enough material to begin up to 5 parts of the 12-part story. I know one "beginning" definitely starts quite some time after another. One other start easily can be hinted at in the first part and then expanded into part 2.
Well, like I said: rambling thoughts and one more distraction should do me in for the day. The kids are screaming, so I have to cut this short.
Again.
Well, obviously --no.
Even the crappy weather we've had (one super-hot and humid day followed by a week of rain)
In fact, I think my posts of late have been more about rambling thoughts and basically getting down any thought that crosses my mindbefore it goes away again. I do have one post I want to do, but I'm finding it difficult to write as it's emotional --and really has nothing to do with me directly.
Sometimes those ideas don't come back.
I think I mentioned my super-high marks for the script I had to write last semester. One of my plans was to expand on the idea further over my "summer" break. It was an idea I had about a comic book and I'd never really put any of it in writing before, but just kept the ideas bouncing back and forth in my head. It's been about 10 years since I've had to do any serious creative writing. I'd written two 1-act plays in college and received high marks for both.
Of course, now the question entering my train of thought is: What have I been doing for the past 10 years???
Getting sidetracked again. I didn't expand on the script or even try to work it out logically as a comic book. I think part of the problem right now is that I have a general plot laid out. I have my characters all together (although some still don't have a backstory) and I know who's doing what and when.
But I also have 3, 4, maybe even 5 beginnings to the story. I'm wondering if it's overkill to fit them into a single issue, basically looking at the event from various points of view. I could do it, but then I'm also missing another vital part of the story. I have the beginning(s), I have the end (actually 2, which means I can make a choice as to where the story goes), but I have nothing in between. I'm thinking that the story would be played out in 12 parts --a year-long story, which fits the plot. But with several points to start from, I could possibly have enough material to begin up to 5 parts of the 12-part story. I know one "beginning" definitely starts quite some time after another. One other start easily can be hinted at in the first part and then expanded into part 2.
Well, like I said: rambling thoughts and one more distraction should do me in for the day. The kids are screaming, so I have to cut this short.
Again.
Saturday, July 16, 2005
He's A Very Good Leader
This semester, I'm taking one 'design project' course with 10 of my "classmates" in the program and 5 or 6 other guys apparently in the same program, but at a different campus. They're the entire program and it was easier on the schedule to make them come to us instead of hiring another instructor. As long as they have the commute --fine.
On our first day, we split into small groups to come up with a semester-long project. We'd voice our ideas and then relay them to everyone before voting "Survivor-style" until we had one project remaining.
They picked mine.
No, I hadn't thought it through or anything, it was just off the top of my head, so there's plenty of work to be done. Fortunately, I have 16 people working on it with me.
In the second class, we sat down and met off-and-on for 4 hours to expand on the project and split it into sections so that all 17 of us have something to do. That's when they decided since I'd come up with the original idea, then I'd be the one to make the decisions.
And at that point the instructor said I was to take over the class for the day. So, for a few hours, I was in charge of every little bit --basically meaning I wasn't getting any work done as 16 people had questions as to how they were going to do their part of this project. Not much of a problem. We're all working collectively and I'm there to give direction.
But more than one person noted that I had presence in that room the moment I wanted it.
You know, I really wonder why some people see that in me and others don't. I'm not trying to sound egotistical, because I've been told for years that I have skills pertaining to leadership (I was even elected to lead office in my youth group 4 times which was never done before --or since) In university, I was told by classmates and a couple profs that I was good standing at the front of the room. More than one classmate thought for sure I'd be a teacher some day.
But all I think about is where I last worked and they way I was treated there. When I thought I could 'help' I was shot down. I can recall quite clearly the attitude of one guy when I suggested he make a slight change on the website to reflect software necessary to view some parts of it. I got chided for suggesting such a thing as it had already been implemented.
Bull. He did it right after I suggested it.
I had that a lot where I'd suggest something, get a reprimand for interfering, and then they'd do it anyway.
That sucked. But, I am for the most part over it. I'm not there anymore and never have to deal with them anymore.
Too bad my wife's insisting on working there all the time now.
On our first day, we split into small groups to come up with a semester-long project. We'd voice our ideas and then relay them to everyone before voting "Survivor-style" until we had one project remaining.
They picked mine.
No, I hadn't thought it through or anything, it was just off the top of my head, so there's plenty of work to be done. Fortunately, I have 16 people working on it with me.
In the second class, we sat down and met off-and-on for 4 hours to expand on the project and split it into sections so that all 17 of us have something to do. That's when they decided since I'd come up with the original idea, then I'd be the one to make the decisions.
And at that point the instructor said I was to take over the class for the day. So, for a few hours, I was in charge of every little bit --basically meaning I wasn't getting any work done as 16 people had questions as to how they were going to do their part of this project. Not much of a problem. We're all working collectively and I'm there to give direction.
But more than one person noted that I had presence in that room the moment I wanted it.
You know, I really wonder why some people see that in me and others don't. I'm not trying to sound egotistical, because I've been told for years that I have skills pertaining to leadership (I was even elected to lead office in my youth group 4 times which was never done before --or since) In university, I was told by classmates and a couple profs that I was good standing at the front of the room. More than one classmate thought for sure I'd be a teacher some day.
But all I think about is where I last worked and they way I was treated there. When I thought I could 'help' I was shot down. I can recall quite clearly the attitude of one guy when I suggested he make a slight change on the website to reflect software necessary to view some parts of it. I got chided for suggesting such a thing as it had already been implemented.
Bull. He did it right after I suggested it.
I had that a lot where I'd suggest something, get a reprimand for interfering, and then they'd do it anyway.
That sucked. But, I am for the most part over it. I'm not there anymore and never have to deal with them anymore.
Too bad my wife's insisting on working there all the time now.
Monday, July 11, 2005
One Week
Fine, it's been a week since I last posted but the illness did me in during my first week back at school. My "break" seemed to be over in a blink and suddenly I'm back at it.
Apologies for the rambling thoughts below...
The workload for the second quarter of my program is definitely lighter. I've had 2 hours' homework from the first week. Last quarter, after the first week, I had 20+ hours... I also managed (yay!) to condense my schedule into 3 days a week instead of 4 or more. I had 3 half-days and one full day. I now have 2 full days and one half day (can't be avoided). Basically, it means one more day at home to work on eBay stuff (yay?) and even more important: 120km (80 miles for my American friends) are now knocked OFF my weekly commute. Between stop-start traffic and the distance, that's the equivalent of half a tank of gas too!
I applied for work at school too. I scheduled a sit-down with the employment advisor to see my option for finding work around my school schedule and she misunderstood me to mean "finding work AROUND THE SCHOOL." No matter, there's 2 jobs available that I'd be happy to do on the days I'm there already for class. It would be great if everything worked out. More money = always good!
One of my classes is 'Life Drawing' which basically means staring at a naked body for 3-4 hours. And, yeah, we had a guy on the first day. Not really an issue (the benefits of being "mature") until I saw him one moment in shorts and grabbed my supplies to draw and looked up to see.... well, you know. The instructor did ask where my training in life drawing had been before (thinking maybe I'd gone to an art school beforehand like one of my classmates) and I admitted I'd never had any formal training (no training at all actually) in life drawing. These teachers are very skilled at stroking the ego, that's for sure!!
I just finished posting a message on another list and it stirred up quite a few memories from senior high. Kinda strange, because it's been nearly 15 years since I graduated from high shool and some of my friends I haven't thought if in... nearly 15 years!!
It's July 11 and we've had more than the average July rainfall already. It's looking like a sucky July to be sure. It's sunny at the moment, but a closer look also shows the light rain falling at the same time. Crap. Wrote "sunny" and now it's disappeared behind more rainclouds.... It's the mix of sun and rain that makes the veggies in our garden either die or -like our celery and rhubarb- grow to over six feet in height.
There's a rabbit eating the taller grass in our front lawn. He's definitely wild... he's got that look in his eyes.
STILL playing the addicting online game. My skills haven't improved much, but there's definite progress everytime I play. I'd be playing right now, but I'm watching my darling children instead. So, instead, while I'm "watching" them (they're transfixed with cartoons at the moment) I'm researching different aspects of the game and... writing about really useless stuff.
Yay me.
OK, I've run out of useless things to talk about.
Apologies for the rambling thoughts below...
The workload for the second quarter of my program is definitely lighter. I've had 2 hours' homework from the first week. Last quarter, after the first week, I had 20+ hours... I also managed (yay!) to condense my schedule into 3 days a week instead of 4 or more. I had 3 half-days and one full day. I now have 2 full days and one half day (can't be avoided). Basically, it means one more day at home to work on eBay stuff (yay?) and even more important: 120km (80 miles for my American friends) are now knocked OFF my weekly commute. Between stop-start traffic and the distance, that's the equivalent of half a tank of gas too!
I applied for work at school too. I scheduled a sit-down with the employment advisor to see my option for finding work around my school schedule and she misunderstood me to mean "finding work AROUND THE SCHOOL." No matter, there's 2 jobs available that I'd be happy to do on the days I'm there already for class. It would be great if everything worked out. More money = always good!
One of my classes is 'Life Drawing' which basically means staring at a naked body for 3-4 hours. And, yeah, we had a guy on the first day. Not really an issue (the benefits of being "mature") until I saw him one moment in shorts and grabbed my supplies to draw and looked up to see.... well, you know. The instructor did ask where my training in life drawing had been before (thinking maybe I'd gone to an art school beforehand like one of my classmates) and I admitted I'd never had any formal training (no training at all actually) in life drawing. These teachers are very skilled at stroking the ego, that's for sure!!
I just finished posting a message on another list and it stirred up quite a few memories from senior high. Kinda strange, because it's been nearly 15 years since I graduated from high shool and some of my friends I haven't thought if in... nearly 15 years!!
It's July 11 and we've had more than the average July rainfall already. It's looking like a sucky July to be sure. It's sunny at the moment, but a closer look also shows the light rain falling at the same time. Crap. Wrote "sunny" and now it's disappeared behind more rainclouds.... It's the mix of sun and rain that makes the veggies in our garden either die or -like our celery and rhubarb- grow to over six feet in height.
There's a rabbit eating the taller grass in our front lawn. He's definitely wild... he's got that look in his eyes.
STILL playing the addicting online game. My skills haven't improved much, but there's definite progress everytime I play. I'd be playing right now, but I'm watching my darling children instead. So, instead, while I'm "watching" them (they're transfixed with cartoons at the moment) I'm researching different aspects of the game and... writing about really useless stuff.
Yay me.
OK, I've run out of useless things to talk about.
Monday, July 04, 2005
Terrorist Threats
REALLY not feeling great today (too much sun yesterday? Ah, the irony), but I had to type this 'cuz I have to get it out of my system.
I finally figured out how to get Osama Bin Laden out of hiding.
I'm going to send him my son.
Osama won't last the day with the little terrorist.
I have to go. He's screaming again.
My son, not Osama....
I finally figured out how to get Osama Bin Laden out of hiding.
I'm going to send him my son.
Osama won't last the day with the little terrorist.
I have to go. He's screaming again.
My son, not Osama....
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