By TheCalgaryGuy - Friday, September 30, 2005
I couldn't really say anything before because it wasn't official. But it's official now, so here goes:
Nobody go to the movies this weekend!
Here's the long story. My new manager wants his new team to meet to kick off the new project. There's me in Calgary, a guy in Montreal and another in New York. The manager had already a trip to Montreal planned for next week, October 6th and 7th, so he figured we could all meet there. Great, I thought, a free trip to Montreal!
So I started looking into how possible it is. Before I could get a final answer, the manager came back and said that the New York guy can't make it so we now all have to go to New York on October 10th and 11th. That sucked.
As I was checking the flights from Calgary to New York, I noticed that all of them stop either in Toronto or Montreal. So I figured "what's the difference between a one hour layover in Montreal and a couple of days layover in Montreal?" The answer: 192$ cheaper to spend four days there.
So I decided to combine the two: I now have a flight from Calgary to Montreal on October 5th and another from Montreal to New York on October 9th.
I will be in Montreal next weekend!
So everybody must now wait for me so we can see the movie together!
I will be working both weekdays in the Compuware offices (downtown Montreal), but I do have those nights available. Plus Saturday and Sunday until noon-ish. I don't think I'll have the time to drive over to Sainte-Agathe to see the folks, but there is an Electrifying Baby I'd love to meet!
By TheCalgaryGuy - Thursday, September 29, 2005
Last night was the night Véro and I agreed to make "house cleaning night". We need to clean the house and we just hate doing it over the weekend when we could be outside doing something more fun. So we agreed to make Wednesday night the night when you reluctantly force yourself to just get it done.
Last night, then, Véro got home early after a full day of parent meetings, walked up to my office, gave me a kiss and said "screw the cleaning, let's go out to dinner and see a movie".
So we didn't clean the house, instead going out to get a burger. There wasn't any good movies playing at the nearest theatre so we came back home and watched TV. That turned an expected pain-in-the-ass night into a really nice one.
By TheCalgaryGuy - Wednesday, September 28, 2005
As I sat down to begin my work day I thought of the perfect topic for an entry. I almost wrote it down just to make sure I remember, but I figured 30 minutes is not long enough to forget.
I was wrong.
So I'll fill this up with my "backup" topic, from an evening of watching my Family Guy DVD.
In the episode Road to Rhode Island, Brian (the dog) finds himself at the ranch where he was born -- where he was taken away from his mother at a very young age. The owner tells him that his mother passed a year before, but they loved her so much they had her stuffed and placed in their living room (to serve as a table). Somewhat outraged, Brian "kidnaps" his mother's body to burry in the park.
Then Brian and Stewie (the baby) have a quick dialog.
Brian: "Say something."
Stewie: "What?"
"Just say something, please!"
"Oh for God's sake. Hum. Ye and God said to Abraham, you will kill your son Isaac. And Abraham said, I can't hear you, you'll have to speak into the microphone. And God said, oh I'm sorry is this better? Check check, check, Jerry pull the high end out I'm still getting some hiss back here."
"Say something about my mother!"
"Oh yes, hum, sorry. Hum. I never knew Biscuit as a dog, but I did know her as a table. She was sturdy, all four legs the same length..."
"Thanks, thanks, that's enough."
By TheCalgaryGuy - Monday, September 26, 2005
We can't remember who we informed. And rather than go over it once more individually, and to help me remember things, we figured it would be best to post it here.
After all, that's the point: reach everyone in one quick shot and have proof that Véro can use against me for when I forget.
We will not be traveling to Montreal this Christmas.
It was great to see everyone last year, but we came back home the day before going back to work basically more tired than when we left. This year, we considered going for one week instead of two, but in the end our need to rest and monetary constraints (with the new house and all) voted in favor is staying. We don't feel too bad considering that we saw everyone during the year and everyone will be over for our wedding next summer, so it works out.
This will therefore be our first Christmas out West. I promise a picture of a red cowboy hat with Christmas lights around it!
By TheCalgaryGuy - Friday, September 23, 2005
I feel like I'm the last guy on the planet that learned of this. But in case I'm not and the rock I've been hiding under is large enough to cover a couple of y'all, here's something I learned of this week.
Podcasts.
From what I understand, podcasts are audio (and now video, in some cases) broadcasts over RSS feeds. As un-specific as that. It's generally one or more people in their basements recording an MP3 and making it available on whatever server they can find.
Whether any of that made sense to you is irrelevant. The important part comes.
Up to a little while ago, finding podcasts was a pain. There was no single repository you could search to find them. Actually, there was but it wasn't known or promoted to the general public.
With iTunes 5.0, Apple has introduced podcasts to a much broader audience. iTunes now has a podcast search function (through their music store) which allows you to search for, find and subscribe to podcasts. Subscribing is free and unauthenticated (you don't need to register or provide any information) and tells iTunes to check for updates to that podcast every minute / hour / day / week / whatever. Podcasters now have a means of reaching a much larger audience, including the less technologically savvy.
That audience now includes me.
Before Mr. Electrifying Daddy told me about podcasts, I didn't have a clue what they were. Even after he explained I didn't really get it. Until I tried it for myself.
Once you filter out all the crap, of course, this thing is pretty freaking cool. What amazes me the most is how, by having iTunes do the work, your podcasts are integrated with your iPod.
So picture this, what I think is the target goal of these technologies:
In your automated house (where a computer runs most of the electronic devices), you have a computer running 24 hours a day. Apple figures you're gonna use iTunes as your "jukebox" application, the thing that will serve music to your house, so that too will run all the times. You subscribe to the news podcast from CNN or CBS or whathaveyou so that iTunes will download it every night or morning, whenever it is updated. When you come home from work, you put your iPod in its cradle to be sync-ed and recharged. So when iTunes downloads the latest news podcast, it's automatically transferred to your iPod. When you leave for work in the morning, you grab the iPod. Sitting in the train you can now listen to the news instead of fumbling around with a large newspaper.
Now that I find really cool.
It absolutely does not apply to me because I could hardly care less about the news. And I work from home anyway. But I did find podcasts worthy of mention:
For the technology geeks out there: This Week in TECH (a.k.a. TWiT) and Diggnation. The weekly podcasts last between 30 minutes and one hour, more or less, of two or more guys talking about the tech stuff that made the news over the last week. They also give you a bunch of links to cool stuff you probably didn't see.
For the blues fan: The Roadhouse. A weekly one hour show of the best blues you never heard. All about independent artist creating some of the best blues you would never hear otherwise.
So far those are the only ones I found. I haven't had a chance to search for stuff in more depth, but I'll try and share the cool ones I come across.
By TheCalgaryGuy - Thursday, September 22, 2005
Last night I rented Ong Bak - The Thai Warrior. I think everyone saw the previews to that, claiming Tony Jaa as the next Jet Li and Jackie Chan combined.
Jaa plays a fighter trained by monks in a small village of Thailand. So his character is the strong, quiet type. I listened to the movie in English then went back to hear his Thai voice and I had to do a lot of skipping to find a moment when he said more than two words. That's not a criticism, it worked fine for the movie, but it gives you an idea.
The fighting style, which really is the whole point of the movie, is interesting. Very direct and to the point, but with lots of acrobatics that seem to serve as a distraction to get your point across (or your fist). Lots of elbows to the head, too. All in all, makes me not want to fight Jaa, even if it is all staged.
Other than fights, the movie is acceptable. A cute little story about country boy in the city. The plot holds itself together and is believable -- he doesn't just start fighting out of the blue, you can see how he gets there. Of course, the "bad guys" are really out there, but that's part of the fun of it, isn't it?
Although I won't be buying that DVD, I recommend everyone who hasn't seen it to rent it. And it's ok for the wife, too (even if mine hasn't seen it): not a whole lot of blood or overly dramatic fights, so it won't end with your wife looking at you with them you-are-such-a-dork-for-loving-stuff-like-this eyes.
By TheCalgaryGuy - Wednesday, September 21, 2005
The lady from the builder's office called back on Monday and scheduled a visit from the warantee manager for today. He showed up 30 minutes late, but at least he showed up.
It took 15 minutes, as I expected. Which is another thing that pisses me off about last week: not only did they not show up or call, but they ignored us simply to save 15 minutes of their day.
At least this guy took a good look around and offered something constructive. He will have a bunch of people come in to check / change a bunch of stuff, including some very minor cosmetic touch ups that, frankly, I don't really mind to begin with.
And, of course, the time line. They are overworked and undermanned (aren't we all?) so he can't promise when these guys can come in to work on it. Eh. I expect them before the next century.
I don't really care, honestly, because this is a very minor thing and fixing it is just a question of prevention. The important part is that it is now their problem would it happen again and something gets damaged.
By TheCalgaryGuy - Monday, September 19, 2005
I have a routine in the morning. For weekdays, at least. I like my routine because it allows me to be on time for work and get most of it done while sleeping.
But if I look at my routine, considering I've been doing it exactly the same way for over a year now, and some adaptation of it for over five years, you'd think I was in one of Vero's classes...
(Vero works with special needs kids and the best way to have a working classroom is to have a very, very strict routine and stick to it as if death was waiting for you to slip.)
The alarm clock sounds at 6am. I get up between 6:00 and 6:10, depending on how much sleep I'm catching up with...
Then jump in the shower, get dressed and get some breakfast. Depending on when I got up, it's now between 6:20 and 6:30. I sit in front of the TV to eat breakfast because the noise of human beings already awake helps me to get ready to talk to people -- which is coming up soon. At 6:47, exactly, I walk back upstairs, stop by the office to turn the (very slow to boot) laptop, walk to the bathroom to put on my contact lenses and brush my teeth, walk back to the office to log in the laptop and connect to the office. I am logged in, ready to work, at 6:59. (Note: I work with people two time zones ahead of me, so it's 8:59 for them.)
Most days, I just do that while half asleep. Days like today, I realize what I'm doing and how I'm doing it exactly the same every single weekday and I'm thinking that, on some level, there isn't much difference between me and some of the kids in Vero's class...
By TheCalgaryGuy - Friday, September 16, 2005
Our house was built by Homes by Avi. It's a spec house, which means they decided to build it and sell it after, as is (as opposed to the other houses where you buy the lot and the house and they start building then). So far, the house is of great quality and their service has been outstanding.
Until last Sunday.
We woke up last Sunday thinking we would go take a quick hike in the Rockies. When we got to the dining room (officiall known as the "breakfast nook"), we found water. It was dropping down from the light fixture onto the table, then off the table onto the hardwood floors. The floor shows signs of tiny buckling at some joints.
It had been raining hard that night, with lots of wind. No doubt it's a simple question of rain making it's way up into the roof above (the second floor does not extend over it). Still, I opted for the safe route and called the builder's office to get emergency support. It's not exactly an emergency, but it being the weekend that was my only option. I also chose to leave the place as is, mostly making sure we don't turn on that light, so that the guys could see it undisturbed.
That was Sunday, early morning. I left a message on some pager. Not knowing what else to do, I also left a message on the voice mail of the lady in charge of all that stuff, which she would get on Monday morning.
The on-call guy called back pretty quickly. He said he has stuff to do but was in the area and would drop by around 11am (it was 9am at the time). So half of our day is shut but we still got some time.
I should mention that I have no way to reach the guy. He leaves me no phone number and call display shows "blocked call".
Thus begins the wait.
At 6pm we finally get a call from the guy who said he forgot about us. And now it's too late to do anything about it. Nice. We just wasted our whole day waiting for him, not even daring to go out in case he called. But he knows I work from home so he says he'll drop by on Monday.
Monday morning the lady calls back. I tell her I got in touch with the guy who forgot about us on Sunday but should show up today. She says she'll send him an email and follow up.
Monday goes by and no guy shows up or calls.
Tuesday goes by, idem.
Wednesday morning I call back the lady and leave her a message saying I haven't heard anything from the guy (and don't have a contact number).
Wednesday wastes away.
Thursday comes and goes. A bit before 6pm, while we're out to dinner, the lady calls back and asks to call her to setup an appointment with some other guy (seems to be the first guy's boss). She doesn't know I work from home, which is probably why she called at night.
This morning, 9:10am I called the lady back. Her message was updated today, so I know she's in, but I leave a message (again) saying to call back anytime during the day since I'm at the house.
What a great week this has been. A week of waiting for calls that never come and of staying away from our dining room just so they have a chance to see the problem. I don't mind them not coming right over, this isn't such a big deal, but I do mind the part where they say they'll be there and never show up and don't even bother to call.
So far, they are losing some points. They are still in the black, this company has a great reputation and has been good to us so far, but it's steadily going down.
I'll keep y'all posted.
By TheCalgaryGuy - Thursday, September 15, 2005
This is the scene I have in my head, which I'm quite sure has nothing to do with what really happened:
Actor, needs to pay for bills, needs a job, hears that Andromeda needs someone for their next episode. Some guy explains what the role is:
"You're an ambassador for this group of fanatically peaceful people. You just came back from dealing with the Magog, the most evil race in all of the Universes."
"So I'm important."
"And peaceful."
"Fanatically peaceful."
"Exactly. This is the beginning of the episode; you talk to the captain, that's your ten lines right there. Then you convulse a little, fall down, puke this green stuff here -- it tastes like ketchup -- and we'll make your belly explode and little baby Magogs come out. Because that's how they reproduce, you know."
"I'll take it! And I'm guessing my character doesn't come back in future episode, right?"
By TheCalgaryGuy - Wednesday, September 14, 2005
I bought the Hitchhicker's Guide to the Galaxy DVD yesterday. It came with a cute little (cheap) towel with the H2G2 logo on it. Since it's so small, I'll be carrying it everywhere I go like the hoopy that I am. Because we all know I'm a frood who really knows where my towel is.
I also got a large bag of Kernels popcorn and a small bottle of Coke. Vero is working (very) late tonight, so it'll be a movie party in here and I'm invited!
By TheCalgaryGuy - Tuesday, September 13, 2005
A friend sent me this link: http://www.cfsl.net/forum/viewtopic.php?t=22455. It shows, believe it or not, how to make an X-Wing fighter using two Paris subway ticket stubs.
The first picture alone is enough to make the trip over to that site worth it.
If you don't know what an X-Wing is... well, check it out anyway, it's still amazing.
(English note: the post has an English version in it, just read down a bit.)
Take note that the Hitchhicker's Guide to the Galaxy DVD is out TODAY! And if you buy it at a FutureShop you will get a free towel (while supplies last). I think FS is one of the worst places to buy stuff, but with that deal I just might be tempted.
On a security note, my manager sent me a Dilbert strip this morning. I think the punch line is a good representation of the escalating security techniques in businesses today (or at least what it feels like):
And starting today, all passwords
must contain letters, numbers, doodles,
sign language and squirrel noises.
-- Dilbert's boss
By TheCalgaryGuy - Monday, September 12, 2005
Serenity, the movie that continues the story of the show Firefly, is coming out September 30th. 'Nuf said.
I know I will be in line (some time soon after that).
By TheCalgaryGuy - Friday, September 9, 2005
I don't know what's wrong with me today, but the bathroom has been my favorite place. Nothing bad, not like I'm sick, but good God! did I ever needed to pee.
Every time I raised my head from off the desk where I was working on a hole created from my forehead -- I figure banging my head on the desk is less dangerous than jumping off a bridge, specially when you have vertigo and there's no bridge around -- the first thought that came was "man do I need to pee, badly."
What the heck? I drank, like, two glasses of water and had to pee, like, five times! Holy cow! That must be a new record. Well, at least for me. Or it might be had I been keeping track, but why the heck would I do that?
Just sharing this with y'all is good enough for me.
(Thank the Gods it's the weekend...)
By TheCalgaryGuy - Tuesday, September 6, 2005
This weekend we did two things: head out to Jasper and see the movie Transporter 2. The movie review is in the last four paragraphs.
This being a long weekend, we figured we would take the time to (finally!) go to Jasper, in Jasper National Park. Not to be confused with Jasper, Wyoming, like my New York co-worker did. Oddly enough, when we talk of going camping for the weekend we head out to one of Canada's many national parks, not some town in the US. But it's easy to confuse the two.
The trip from Calgary to Jasper is something like 430km. We're not entirely sure because every map gave us a different value; and I didn't think to reset the trip odometer when we left. Bottom line: it takes about 4 1/2 hours, with few stops.
Jasper National Park is the Rockies' most northerly and largest national park in Canada. It also has the distinction, in my mind, of having just the one town in it and no other settlements whatsoever. So you get to drive for a loooong time in the middle of nowhere, and just around the corner is more lack of civilization, until you reach the town at the complete end of the highway. I love that park!
But if you think Banff and Lake Louise are busy, you ain't seen nothing yet! This was the first week of September, the last weekend for the national campgrounds (they are now closed for the winter) and the place was booked solid. Places that showed vacancy when we got there were full only hours later. So here's the lesson, kids: if you want to go there, leave early! (Or do the smart thing and make a reservation.)
We only stayed for two days and we were lucky enough to get rained on the whole time. Great. So the town and trails looked kinda ordinary with no mountains around (they were all hidden in the clouds). But we did get some breaks in the clouds and got to see some really neat stuff -- not the least of which was a lake filled with little icebergs!
You can see our pictures in our Jasper National Park album.
Even though the weather wasn't cooperating, we had a great time. We will definitely go back next summer! And we do recommend the trip to anyone interested, although we don't yet have a lot of specifics on what to see and where to go. But we're working on it!
That's all for the park for today. Now for the movie bit.
Back home, on holiday Monday, we went to the theatre to see Transporter 2. Although the story holds on its own without having seen the first movie, I still recommend renting it if only because it's a really entertaining movie. I wasn't sure what to expect of the second one, as I figured Hollywood would step in with its own view of what makes a good movie...
As expected, our hero now lives in the US. They make that clear right from the beginning with the intro scene that matches the one from the first movie, except this time the license plate of the car is really obvious. But what surprised me, in a good way, is to see Luc Besson's name in the opening credits. Lucky for us, they kept him on board.
It's a very entertaining movie. Very much over-the-top, of course, but quite funny, with spectacular fight scenes and a lot of references to the first movie (but in subtle ways, like fight moves). Only two things get a bad grade from me: the way the bomb is removed from the car (I won't spoil that) and the evil chick. You see her on the first page of the web site. She's probably an attractive lady, but with the make up and silly costume it just doesn't work. I don't think "silly" is strong enough a word for her "costume". Go see the movie, you'll know what I mean...
In the end, I give this movie a good grade. Turn your brain off and enjoy the show -- and don't be afraid to laugh! So find yourself a babysitter, John, and get yer ass to a theatre. Oh! and I will buy the DVD.
By TheCalgaryGuy - Thursday, September 1, 2005
I don't think I need to explain my... enthusiasm... when it comes to Coke. At least not to the people that know me. Bottom line: I love the stuff and nothing else will do. So, of course, when there's a reference I catch on quick.
We've all seen the Coke with lime commercial where everybody sings
You put the lime in the Coke, you nut, and you drink 'em both up
Check out where this one is going.
Vero is coming back home late tonight, wants to finish some stuff at school while it's quiet. So I figure I watch a movie. Reservoir Dogs is sitting right there and I haven't seen it in a long while. Cool.
The movie ends, the credits start rolling and I hear a familiar rhythm, and an obviously black man start singing in a deep voice
She put de lime in de coconut, she drank 'em bot' up
I swear to God. If you own that movie, skip to the credits.
The song is called Coconut, by Harry Nilsson. You can check out the lyrics here.
Watching a show on TV last night, I heard one of the best description for men to date:
The one with the most toys when they die, wins.
