The growth
Two weeks into the moustache-growing contest. I HATE IT.
June 29, 2007
April 17, 2007
Good and Bad
The good news: Despite a low occasional ache in a back tooth, my dentist says I have no cavities! This is the first time in my life a dentist has EVER told me that! Woo!
The bad news: Something is causing an ache in my back tooth. It could be stress, it could be the chin strap I wear while I sleep (for the CPAP machine) making me clench or grind... The dentist ground down the high points of the tooth a bit just in case. I do have an 11-year-old filling back there, but they say it's in good shape.
Still! No cavities! Let's eat sugar and celebrate!
April 12, 2007
Ick
Okay, so I'm at this comedy show last night, and there are these two street-style comedians wandering around warming up the audience.
One lady is going around 'preparing people to be recorded for television', smearing lipstick up faces, taking coats (and then auctioning them off) and the like. All very funny.
And then she sits me down, tells me I look fine, except my shows. For which she proceeds to get down on her hands and knees and SPIT-POLISH THEM.
For real. Ptui! Wipe wipe.
Eeeugh.
April 10, 2007
Where You Can Find Me
I am on Facebook. I find it's simplicity and lack of horrible, horrible ads pleases me.
I also have a page on MySpace. I built it just for this thing that was happening over at zefrank and left it. I am amused by all the Friend Spam I get there. Crappy bands sometimes, but mostly girls wanting to advertise their naked pictures on other websites.
March 14, 2007
Prayers Needed
My friend Connie was back in surgery for the third time last night up in Edmonton. We're told that everything that can be done has been done and now it's up to her.
The next 24-48 hours will make the difference, so please send whatever prayers/positive energy/good mojo you can spare Northwards to her, her family and Colin.
March 09, 2007
Plague-Ridden
Day two of being sick. Better than yesterday (which leaves me hopeful for tomorrow) but trying to get ready for work left me sweating and shaking so gave up. Need more recovery time apparently.
Grumble grumble.
March 08, 2007
Sick Day
Down with cold. Quality content returns when I'm well again.
March 02, 2007
Tops and Tops
Was hungry after my swim this morning so got the special at the cafeteria downstairs. Egg, bacon and cheese on a sesame bun with hash browns. Mmm.
Weird thing is that when I picked up the sandwich I noticed that the cafeteria guy made the sandwich with two sesame bun tops. Which is good, because I'm all about the sesame, but I can't help thinking about the poor sap after me stuck with two bottoms.
Heh. Two bottoms.
February 22, 2007
Sleep Update
Couple of weeks ago, I brought home a sleep study machine once again, to analyze how I'm doing with my CPAP machine.
The results are very positive! As compared to last time, where they figured I stop breathing some 80 times an hour, it's down to an average of 3.5, which is well below what they call 'low'. Also, my oxygen saturation is much, much improved.
So the therapy is working. I'm not cured, of course. There is no cure, and there's only a chance that it might go away, once I get back down to my fighting weight. So once I get back down around 200 pounds, I can get retested and see if it's made any difference.
I still have insomnia issues, and I'm welcome to come back to the clinic to try to deal with those once my life settles down a bit (more on this another day), but the doctor was pretty much unconcerned with it, so long as I am functional the next day.
But yeah, it's working. I feel much like a new person -- all energized and alert. I still have to work on the habits formed during the length of my apnea, but I'm a step in the right direction.
February 06, 2007
Identity Theft
So Lisa sends me an email saying that a letter has arrived from Telus, asking me if I want to to switch plans on my Pay & Talk phone.
I call Telus and verify that, other than my name and address, there is nothing on the account that matches my information. So someone bought a cell phone and gave them my name and address. There's no big risk -- my credit card isn't attached to it or anything, but it's very weird. Now I have to go into a Telus store with the letter and some ID and have it deactivated.
This is weird.
January 17, 2007
Buzz
My coworker told me I should try what she normally drinks in the morning at work. Something called a 'double-shot Americano'.
I'm completely wired.
(eye twitch. eye twitch.)
January 13, 2007
Woo hoo!
Why is this is the coolest receipt ever?
Because of this:
Jedi lightsaber training is awesome.
January 09, 2007
Writer Wanted
Our copywriter at work is moving off to a new position, and, to ensure that I don't have to do all the grunt work myself, I am putting the call out for a new writer to join our team.
The posting isn't up yet (I'll link it when it is) but the job entails writing copy for websites and newsletters. The various tasks could include:
- writing marketing copy based on product and service briefs
- writing technical support copy based on customer needs and feedback
- writing entertainment copy for our On Demand movie features
- writing feature stories for our customer portal
- writing articles for our corporate and customer newsletters
- editing copy written by others
- designing and consulting on information architecture for new and existing web information, both external and internal
If you have skills in any of the above, let me know and I'll send the posting your way when it's ready. Or watch this space and I'll link it up then. If you have any questions, send them my way as well.
December 20, 2006
The Worst
Her family is taking her off life support today.
December 15, 2006
Puts my bad day in perspective
We just got word that one of our creative staff, who sits maybe ten feet from me, was hit by a car this morning. We're all a bit messed up about it.
She's a lovely, sweet girl. She's got my prayers.
December 14, 2006
Like A Fish. A Big Fat Fish
Went swimming this morning before work.
Finally, I got around to using that YMCA pass that had been languishing in my wallet. I got up, had breakfast, went to the gym, swam, showered and went to work. It felt great.
I think I've finally started to confront my procrastination. I had been letting myself find reasons not to go for a swim. I didn't have a decent kit to carry all the toiletries that I would need to work out then go to work. I didn't have good swim goggles and didn't want to fuss with my contacts at the gym.
So last night as I'm heading home, I pulled out all the little things that I've been letting stop me and took a good hard look at them. Then I went to the store.
Bought a new kit and a bunch of bottles for shampoo, et cetera. Bought cool new swim goggles -- the kind that actually keep the water out. Got everything I needed. Then I went home and packed the kit -- filled the bottles, sorted through my crap to find what I would actually need. When I was done, I was ready.
There was nothing standing in the way of my going for an early morning swim, except me.
I didn't swim a marathon or anything -- a combination of time and fitness allowed me to complete only eight lengths of the pool, but it was still more exercise than I've got in months. And if I can keep going, if I can fight through or get rid of all the little objections I put in front of myself...I know I can. I just have to do.
December 04, 2006
Bushy-Tailed
Someone just asked me how it was going with the CPAP machine and I was about to shrug my shoulders when I realized that I haven't had any caffeine in over 24 hours and I'm not asleep on my keyboard.
This is new.
November 30, 2006
Soup
The cafeteria in my office building is random. Some specials are good (their roast beef is awesome) and some not so good (the mushroom bacon burger that contains neither mushrooms or bacon). Their soups are generally on the bad side. Last month they served me a cream of mushroom soup whose mushrooms had been somehow chopped into a fine mist, rather than any size large enough to actually chew.
So I stopped getting their soups. But today was beef barley, and how can you screw up beef barley?
It's like eating a big bowl of beef gravy with barley in it.
Second Night
Better than last night, that's for sure.
I sat and watched Battlestar Galactica DVDs for an hour before bed with the CPAP machine on, just to acclimatize a bit more to it before sleep. The idea being that I could get used to it quicker with a distraction, rather than sit there and focus on my breathing in the dark all night.
Seems to have worked. I still needed an hour to fall asleep, but this was an hour of "hm, relax" than "BREATHE. BREATHE. BREATHE."
I woke up once in the middle of the night and I was breathing normally into the mask. What a big relief. Went back to sleep.
Still not exactly the Waters Of The Ganges cure that CPAP enthusiasts make it out to be yet, but at least I can sleep with it. Everything else comes from there.
Oh, and I had a Lung Function Test yesterday just to make sure there wasn't anything else causing the apnea. That was fun.
"Okay, breathe normal into the tube. Breathe normal.... normal... BIG BREATH IN! BIGGER! BIGGER! NOW OUT! FAST! MORE! MORE! MORE! MORE! ARE YOU FAINTING YET? MORE! MORE!"
My lungs are just fine. I have a reduced 'expiratory reserve volume', which is the amount left in your lungs after a normal exhale, likely due to my size. Eh.
And the little tiny waif of a technician who took the test kept remarking how normally it takes someone of twice my girth to have my level of apnea. Well, I guess it's good to be an overachiever in some areas.
November 29, 2006
First Night
Last night was my first night with a CPAP machine
It was awful.
Okay, so how it works is it continually pumps air into your nose, keeping all the air passages open. The feeling is like blowing up a well-stretched balloon. Breathing in is fine, but I had to consciously push against the air pressure to breathe out.
So I put the thing on just past 11, and spent the next hour or so trying to get used to it. It's physical presence wasn't too bad -- there were some problems with it leaking if I lay on my side, but that was about it. (They gave me a 'hose cozy', a felt cover for the air hose, so it was more comfortable to sleep with.)
But I spent the whole time focusing on my breathing. Breathe in. Breathe out. Breathe in. Breathe out. Every time I started to nod off, I'd catch myself suddenly taking in a huge gasp of air, like I had been breathing too shallow.
I think I finally fell asleep around 12:30 or so, and work up around 1 o'clock, clawing the mask off my face. I think (it's all jumbled) that I felt I was suffocating. I tried to put it back on but I was so tired and, honestly, freaked out that I just couldn't.
I've already spoken with the sleep therapist. He wants me to try it again tonight, maybe try to watch a bit of TV while wearing it to help get accustomed to it. He's booked me an appointment tomorrow afternoon just in case, where he can adjust the machine if it isn't much better tonight.
I'm disillusioned and a little afraid about trying it again. There's not a lot of solutions left if this doesn't work.
November 28, 2006
Safety Feature
Discovered a new warning light on the dashboard this morning. To the best I can figure, it's designed to come on and warn you that your tires currently have no traction and you are sliding.
Gosh, thanks.
November 02, 2006
Priority Check
The parking lot right beside where I work has no convenient gate to my building. You can either go the long way around to a break in the fence, or you can step up and through a railing to a driveway that's about two feet higher than the parking lot. Like this:
I didn't duck low enough today and my basckpack caught on the upper bar of the railing. I stumbled, cracking my left ankle against the lower bar, scraping my right knee and landing on my hands.
But I somehow managed to set my Tim Horton's coffee down without spilling any.
I know what's important.
October 12, 2006
My Hole
A few months ago, I introduced my co-workers to a little hole-in-the-wall Vietnamese restaurant. Since then, they've been referring to it as 'Phil's hole'. Which leads to conversations like today:
Female co-worker: Mmm. Phil's hole was so good today.
Me: I'm glad you enjoyed my hole.
Yeah. It's like we're back in junior high school.
Fading Fast
He's had close calls before, but I think this may be it for our guinea pig Idaho. He's been fading quickly for the last couple of days and can't even be tempted by a yoghurt treat. Lisa's been syringing him water to keep him comfortable, but even that seems too much for him.
You know us: we have no problems paying for treatments for our babies, but Idaho is about seven and a half years old which is old old old for a guinea pig. Anything that might be done for him would only delay the inevitable. So if he's still around by the time we get home tonight, we'll be taking him to the vet to say goodbye.
He's the last of the half dozen or so piggies we've had come through our house and the first that was born in our care. He's lived his entire life under our roof and has always been friendly and comfortable with people. He's a good piggie.
I'll miss him so much.
September 20, 2006
SOASB
Here's a T-shirt design I did by request for a friend in one of my PBEM games.
August 23, 2006
Verdict
In the words of my doctor, "Nothing losing some weight and getting some exercise wouldn't fix."
Thyroid - good
Kidneys - good
Sugars - good
Blood Pressure - good
Cholesterol - a little high, not enough to medicate
Good Cholesterol - a little low
Bad Cholesterol - a little high
Liver - Not as good. Basically the fat around it is squeezing it and I have 'liver sweats'. Losing thirty will fix that right up.
All in all, not too bad. Still need to lose weight and eat more fibre. In celebration I bought cinnamon buns. With extra icing.
August 22, 2006
Doctor
I must admit I'm a little worried about my annual physical today. Beyond the testing to find the source of my sweating (if it's more than just being out of shape, it could be thyroid problems, diabetes, fun stuff like that) we have all the problems that run in the family. Diabetes, high blood pressure, prostate cancer...
If the worst he has to tell me is that I'm overweight and out of shape, I'll consider myself lucky.
August 16, 2006
Like-a-Look
July 18, 2006
Snork
I'd like to thank everyone on the C-Train this morning for not laughing when I snorted myself awake in my seat.
I need more sleep. Last night was bad. but I've done a couple sessions on the exercise bike this last week so I'm feeling better about myself.
April 30, 2006
One Year
It's one year ago today we got married! Yay!
I love my wife!
April 18, 2006
Happy Birthday!
Happy birthday, my sweet, sweet, lovely Lisa!
April 12, 2006
Singalong!
Those of you who were coming with us to Karaoke on Thursday, please let us know for sure. We're going early to watch the hockey game and save some seats, so need a general idea who all is coming.
January 25, 2006
ICK! ICK!
Okay, so the doctor today told me that the wart was coming along fine. Basically it was a big scab under a single layer of skin, and it was time to start 'picking at it'.
So I have. The think skin split in a complete circle around the scab itself, which had already pulled way at the edges from the new skin below. So when it came off (in a single piece) what I was left with was a circle of smooth, shiny new skin slightly smaller than my pinky nail with a scabby unhealed portion right in the center. It looks so bizarre! Like a Wintergreen Certs, but skin colored with a scabby mint center.
I don't know if the wart is gone. The scabby area is in the dead center of the new skin, and the wart was a little off-center on the actual blister. I won't really be able to tell until it all heals up.
Wish I had my camera here. I know you all are dying for a picture.
In other doctor news, he's given me some more lorazepam, although I should mimize it's use (while being smart about when I actually need it). I'll be taking the melatonin daily, which should increase its effectiveness.
Beyond that, I've got a bit of eczema on my ankles and that twitch in my lip went away.
I'm such a HANDSOME man!
January 24, 2006
Gross Physical Update
So the blister on my finger appears to have turned into a scab covered by a layer of skin. At some point I'm expecting the skin to break and the whole thing to peel off, but right now it just looks like some gross melanoma.
I'm heading back to the doctor tomorrow. The trial prescription of lorazepam I got only has about two doses left -- it seems that two pills is what it takes to knock me out enough to be able to get past the snoring and I only had 12 pills to start with.
Still getting through. Last night was weird -- Lisa didn't really start snoring until four in the morning, which is really too late to take anything, but I got through okay.
It seems I'm more stressed about it than I thought. Lisa tells me I've been vocalizing distress at night without realizing it, so she'll wake up to hear me whimpering or whining as I'm dozing. It's really bugging her out and making this far harder on her than I want it to be. It's not her fault after all. It's not like she chose this or anything.
Oh, and the appointment to see the specialist? May. Tomorrow I'm going to see if the doc can find another specialist sooner.
November 23, 2005
Sing Along With Shuffledog
Hey all! We're going to Woody's Taphouse in Braeside tomorrow for an evening of drinking heavily and singing badly at Karaoke! We'll be there from 8-9pm until they kick us out! Anyone want in?
November 04, 2005
And
How the hell did November sneak up on me? Holy crap!
Passing Along the Info
The stress level is getting to us both pretty bad. We're coping, but it's close.
Car is still dead. We've been looking at getting a new car, but a lot depends on the strike ending or Lisa finding some job that she can do while still picketing.
We're in serious people withdrawl. Too depressed to be outgoing, and no vehicle to go anywhere. Don't want to spend the weekend home again, but options are few.
Ugh, this sounds too depressing. I should post it on LiveJournal.
Okay, three things that made me happy so far today.
- Samantha. She just wants to be near us at all times.
- The original BBC Hitchhiker's Guide radio show on MP3. Makes for great C-Train listening. I giggled out loud.
- My feet don't hurt. That pain I've had for months has finally faded away. Must be the new shoes.
October 26, 2005
Wednesdays Suck
Looks like it's likely the head gasket in the car, both internal and external. Something like $1000 to fix. They'll still testing so there's a chance we'll get lucky.
Swamped at work and losing ground. Utterly broke. Feeling ill. And our little Idaho didn't eat anything all day yesterday. Our seven-year piggie may be fading.
I hate today.
Again with the car
Had to take the car to the mechanic again this morning. Was stalling out and the temperature gauge was all over the map. Grumble. We cannot afford more car repairs at this time.
October 04, 2005
Good Dog
Just got word from my folks that Nikko, the dog they've had since around the time I moved out passed away yesterday.
Nikko was, in every way, a very good dog.
September 22, 2005
Hello Nephew!
Morgan Henry Loeb
Welcome to our family!
September 14, 2005
Writing Exercise
Want a good writing exercise? Write yourself a two paragraph movie review. Then, re-write it three times, using entirely different styles.
Fluffy box copy! Film snob! Generic acceptable-by-everyone-and-offend-no-one! Bitter lesbian extremist!
(Maybe not the last one.)
My brain hurts.
September 12, 2005
Salary Review
Woo! A raise! Slightly above average increase!
RRRR RRRR RRRR RR. RR. rrrr. rr. . . . rr. . .
So we're driving home Friday from Connie and Colin's house. As we were planning on going to the funeral Saturday morning, we figured it would be a good idea to fill the tank then, rather than fuss around in the morning. We gas up at Safeway (getting 7 cents off -- only 107.9! Woo! Grumble).
And the car won't start. Won't even turn over for God's sake. Turning the ignition to Accessories works fine but the moment we try to turn her over, it's dead battery time.
A boost manages to get things started and we trundle on home, and call Dad to pop by Saturday to take a look.
So much for the funeral. Sigh.
Dad comes over. Car won't start, even when boosted. Dad tests the battery and finds that something, somewhere is draining the battery. Even when the car isn't running, the power is draining away somewhere.
We run out, buy a tow cable and haul the car across the road to the mechanic. Wow. Being towed in a car with no power steering or brakes in the pouring rain is FUN.
So this morning the mechanics take a look. Seems there is a short in one of the batteries cells. The battery itself is shorting out the battery. I didn't even know that was possible.
Ugh. That's waaaaay too much money we've spent on the car in the last month. And we'll still need to do the fuel pump sometime in the next six months.
September 08, 2005
More Breakage
Is everyone having car problems these days? Sheesh...
We pulled into the garage Sunday after visiting the Crossroads Market, and suddenly huge gouts of white steam are pouring out of the engine. Fluid is dripping out the bottom of the engine -- engine coolant. Again.
I tracked it down. Pinhole break in a high-pressure coolant hose spraying fluid directly onto the distributor and all over the engine block. Lovely.
Dad and I took a look last night at replacing it ourselves, but after a lot of fussing, we realized that if this hose is busted, then the other coolant hoses are likely going as well.
Screw it. Dropped it off at Certigard this morning and they phoned back with a quote. If we just replace the one hose (and the fan belt, which I noticed was badly cracked) it would come to $260. But, yes, all the other hoses need replacement immediately. So $450 plus taxes.
Ugh.
Luckily, things are looking up. Lisa is still on strike, but she has a very positive looking part-time job interview next week, and some other financial possibilities have come to light. We should be able to squeak through.
August 11, 2005
The Car Runs
So I stayed home from work this morning to help Dad put a new radiator into the car (Thanks Ralf for suggesting we do it ourselves -- saved us 300 bucks). We thought it'd take only a couple hours but around one o'clock Lisa popped into the garage and mentioned I was a little extra late for work.
(Only got into the office around 3. Technically I'd have to work until 11 to work off the time. Sigh.)
Dad was still finishing up when I left, but he called to say it's running fine. Yay!
I tell you, it's like engines aren't actually designed to be worked on. I mean seriously, why have a metal bolt tucked in where you only have about an inch of movement for the wrench? My hands will never be the same.
Still, I feel all manly and shit, having actually worked with my hands for a change. On an engine no less.
August 10, 2005
Geek Cred
I've kinda stopped posting quizzes, mostly because they all seem kinda random these days, but this one seems right on...
| The Deviant Geek You answered 78% of the questions as a geek truly would. |
You're a geek and you know it. You've got all sorts of fringe hobbies and socially unacceptable tendencies. Chances are, whenever possible, you hate to be grouped with other people and sometimes go out of your way just to be different. You're smart too. You're more willing to depend on your own So what's it all mean? You may be considered by some to be |
 |
My test tracked 1 variable How you compared to other people your age and gender:
|
| Link: The True Geek Test written by ambientred on Ok Cupid |
August 09, 2005
Extra Irony with Irony Sauce
Okay, so you know Lisa works for the company I call 'Amalgamated WeOwnEverything Corp.' and that her union has been on strike for a couple weeks. I mentioned in a What I Saw entry that the company has been giving freebies to the folks who have crossed the picket line. They've also been giving some of these to the managers and non-union folks in the building, likely as thanks for the extra work they've had to put in.
You might also know that I work for a company I shall call the 'KeepItInTheFamily Conglomerate', which is a direct competitor to Amalgamated WeOwnEverything.
So a friend of ours, who is a manager at WeOwnEverything (thus not one of the striking bargaining units), drops by late to my birthday party this weekend. Inside the card he gives me a gift card for a local high-priced eatery. Seems one of the Big Bosses was handing these out at the company.
So a present that came out of the pocket of the Big Boss at WeOwnEverything and was intended for non-union employees and scabs was given by a WeOwnEverything manager to a striking worker and her husband who works for their biggest local competition.
I think the irony is worth more than the gift card itself.
Thanks WeOwnEverything Big Boss!
August 05, 2005
Another Idea
Forget the fireplace. I want a media engine capable for storing 2.4 Terabytes of data. Woo!
Games People Play
I was feeling kind of down Wednesday -- which is why I didn't post my normal Wednesday entry -- so Lisa, Connie and Colin gave me my birthday present early.
It's a MASSIVE strategic board game called Twilight Imperium: Third Edition. For the gamers of you out there, it's like the space baby of Settlers of Catan, Puerto Rico, Axis & Allies and the computer game Civilization.
So you're competiting to be the dominant race in the galaxy, right? And you do this through trade, space exploration, technological advances, political manouvering and open warfare. It's got a MILLION little pieces and cards and junk.
I LOVE it! I can't wait to actually play the damn thing. We thought we'd try a sample game Wednesday night with three people, but it took me about an hour and a half to read and understand the rules, then another hour just to teach the basics of the game and then it was time for bed.
Ah well. We'll find some time soon. Woo hoo!
August 02, 2005
Never Mind
Forget the DVD player. I want a steam iron with little legs that extend if I leave it lying flat unattended.
July 28, 2005
The Car
The car needs a new radiator. $410, plus tax.
Sigh. Well we're walking for the next couple weeks. Stupid car. Stupid strike.
July 22, 2005
In My Dreams
Ruth? Ruth, you out there?
Okay, for future reference, when we've managed to back the yacht away from the pier, trapping all the zombie monkeys on board, and the undead trees are starting to melt their way through the windows to come get us, do not stop to sew a new Renaissance Faire outfit in the hold.
This is important.
July 20, 2005
Good/Bad
The good news is that the logjam preventing my work project from getting anywhere just burst.
The bad news is the car engine started steaming angrily on Lisa's way home from work today and I have no clue how we can afford to fix it.
Sigh.
July 19, 2005
Owchie
I still keep thinking it's my fault. I mean I know he's all aggressive when you feed him in the morning, but Lisa says he knows better so it's all him, but still...
Normally when I tip the dish of Pippin's morning fruit and veg into his snack dish, I take him out of the cage and then stick him back in after. But he does this cute thing with Lisa sometimes where he'll stick his head into the dish she's holding and help scoop the food into his own dish. It's so cute and he's almost done it with me a couple times.
More often, though, he'll leap across the cage and bite at the hand that's feeding him. I've received a few solid bites over the last couple years, but this was something else.
He managed to pierce my finger deep in two different spots, much like he does when he's opening a grape. The pain was huge and I dropped the dish, shook him off my finger and howled in pain.
There was blood.
Lisa checked and made sure I hadn't killed him or smashed the dish into a million bird-cutting pieces before coming to see how bad the damage was. The worst it's ever been has been bruising.
I ran it under the tap and Lisa put Polysporin on in and wrapped a band-aid on it and kissed it twice and it still hurt.
I went back to the cage and he came immediately over to me, looking all frightened and apologetic and stuff. I got 'back on the horse' and took him out to cuddle, knowing that if I didn't, the horror writer in me would fill my subconscious with crap about him 'having a taste for my blood now' like the crocodile and Captain Hook.
But no. He was his normal sweet self. I don't know what it is about feeding him his breakfast that makes him so crazy.
My finger hurts. Any spelling mistakes today are entirely because of that.
June 29, 2005
My Pedigree
Since I'm 'fan guest of honour' at the Con-Version Mini-Con this weekend, I figured it was time to let everyone know what a real geek I am.
Don't hate me because I'm geeky.
June 23, 2005
Su Doku
I loves me some Su Doku. I do the one in the Calgary Herald every day at lunch and if there's time (and the Herald one was easy) I'll print off the one from the London Times and do it as well.
Assuming your Su Doku pusher is a reputable one, each puzzle only has one answer and can be solved by logic -- no guessing required.
Perfect for me! Yay!
June 15, 2005
Warning!
| UCAUTION |
| IN THE INTEREST OF SAFETY IT IS ADVISABLE TO KEEP SHUFFLEDOG AWAY FROM FIRE AND FLAMES. |
From Go-Quiz.com
June 10, 2005
Hee
Actual email conversation resulting from thunder and lightning rocking our respective buildings.
--
From: Lisa
Sent: Friday, June 10, 2005 2:54 PM
To: Phil
Subject: EEEE
I'm scared. Hold me.
--
From: Phil
Sent: Friday, June 10, 2005 2:57 PM
To: Lisa
Subject: RE: EEEE
(Uses best Romance Novel voice)
It's okay baby. I'm here.
--
From: Lisa
Sent: Friday, June 10, 2005 2:59 PM
To: Phil
Subject: RE: EEEE
Swoon.
--
Hee. I picked a good wife.
June 06, 2005
Carved Up
Got some close up experience with the pointy ends of my cat this weekend.
So I'm sitting on the couch, and Emma had a sudden cat freakout session where she leapt up from cuddling with her sister Samantha beside me, directly onto my leg and arm, and launched away down the hall. I have three slashes across the back of my hand, two on my lower arm, and three big, juicy lacerations on the freaking inside of my thigh.
Samantha, just looked up with her perpetually boggled expression wondering where Emma had gone.
Now my pant leg rubs against the cuts everytime I move. Grumble grumble.
June 02, 2005
Rain
After I posted yesterday's update, Lisa was all, "Why didn't you post the rain picture?"
So here's a shot of what drove us into the loving embrace of 'it's a small world'.
So here's a shot of what drove us into the loving embrace of 'it's a small world'.
June 01, 2005
What Classic Story Role Do You Play?
You Are The Champion
"Don't worry, I got it."
You play as the Hero. You are the one who usually tries to take on the world for any cause you believe in. You are a natural leader in most circles and are not afraid to take that position if a situation calls for it. Others look to you for inspiration and praise you for your acheivements. Even though they love and adore you, however, you are left feeling alone or overwhelmed many times. You're almost always positive and keep your chin up despite any setbacks because you know that you will succeed in the end, no matter how long it takes.
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May 30, 2005
Honeymoon Pictures
Pictures from the honeymoon are now up at my Flickr site. We're working our way through captioning them, but we've only finished the first day or two of the trip.
May 27, 2005
Odd.
 | You scored as Claire. You're Claire! You're cute, and everybody likes you - especially Charlie ;)
Who is your "Lost" alter ego? created with QuizFarm.com |
Uh oh.
All the screaming fans are gonna kill me.
May 26, 2005
Movie Tag Meme
1. Total number of films I own on DVD/video: Around 250-ish. According to Lisa anyway. I usually just say 'a lot'.
2. The Last Film I Bought: Me myself? Lisa usually buys them, so I'd have to say the last one I actually bought was... Gilmore Girls Season #1, which I gave to Lisa for Christmas.
3. The Last Film I watched: Episode III.
4. Five Films That Mean A Lot To You: Casablanca, Princess Bride, The Muppet Movie, Contact, Star Wars: A New Hope
5. Tag 5 people and have them put this in their journal: Let's say lacykitten, ubermoogle, ruthhall, foxmanfx and arcadiax.
May 25, 2005
How Stupid Am I?
May 20, 2005
The Big Fat Giant Meme
The Big Fat Giant Meme
F i r s t s
First car: That would be the Chevette. I think it was an 83 or something. My folks gave it to me to use in high school. We ran it until it died.
First real kiss: Ruth in August of 1985. I was 14, she was 18. She was a couple firsts.
First funeral: The first one I really recall was my friend Darryl back in 86.
First pet: While I have been informed that there was a cat waaay back before I can remember, the first pet in my memory was Lady, a dumb-as-toast Lab-cross who I loved dearly.
First piercing/tattoo: No tattoos yet, but I did get a single ear piercing eleven years ago.
First credit card: Visa. Never give a college student a Visa with a $3000 limit. Bad idea.
First enemy: Jamie Tillbury. Not only did he beat me up regularly in Elementary School, but he took the girl I wanted to date in Junior High.
L a s t s
Last cigarette: Geez, college I think. Unless cigars count and that would be four weeks ago at the bachelor party.
Last car ride: I usually drive, but a couple days ago Lisa picked me up and stayed in the driver's seat.
Last kiss: This morning. Just long enough to make Lisa miss her crosswalk light.
Last good cry: At the wedding, when the door opened and Lisa came in.
Last movie seen: Revenge of the Sith! Swish! Kzzzt!
Last beverage drank: Coca-Cola C2. Calorie reduced without the nasty aspartame taste.
Last food consumed: Microwaved turkey dinner.
Last phone call: Lisa, about an hour and a half ago.
Last time showered: This morning, like clockwork.
Last shoes worn: My black work/dress shoes. I don't have a lot of shoes.
Last item bought: We cashed in the gift cards from the wedding on Tuesday and bought new pots and pans and dishes and stuff. You know you're old when the thought of matching plates excites you.
Last annoyance: I glanced at the clock and it isn't time to go yet. So like a second ago.
Last time wanting to die: There were several times in the weeks leading up to my dental surgery that it seemed like a less painful option.
f a s h i o n | o t h e r s t u f f
Where is your favourite place to shop? The Sentry Box. Massive amounts of gaming crap AND the biggest sci-fi/fantasy book store in town.
What are some pieces of jewellery you always wear? I don't wear lots. The watch Lisa gave me for the wedding and my wedding ring. That's about it. My ear would need to be re-pierced if I were to wear an earring again.
What are you most scared of? Being trapped.
What are you listening to right now? The sounds of the entire building as echoed up the central atrium to me. And the last lingering echoes of my sneeze.
Where and when do you want to get married? Been there, done that.
How many buddies are online right now? A few, I'm sure.
What would you change about yourself? Physical fitness, some mroe 'oomph' perhaps. Better memory certainly.
H a v e | y o u | e v e r
Given anyone a bath? Yup.
Smoked? Only when I drink heavily.
Bungee jumped? Nearly. Chickened out.
Made yourself throw up? Nope. Hate throwing up nearly worse than anything.
Skinny dipped? Yes.
Ever been in love? Oh yes.
Pictured your crush naked? Yes
Actually seen your crush naked? Nope. There's a no-nudity clause in her contract.
Lied? Never. Okay, once.
Fallen for your best friend? No. Lisa became my best friend as I was falling for her.
Been rejected? Ohhhhh yes.
Rejected someone? Once in a while, yes.
Been cheated on? Couple times, but nothing serious. That I know of.
Done something you regret? Hah! Yes indeedy.
c u r r e n t
clothes: Blue jeans, grey short-sleeved shirt. I'm a GQ kinda guy.
music: nothing going on music-wise
desktop picture: I'm multi-synching. On the left monitor is the new Superman logo. On the right, a Batman Begins desktop shot.
cd in player: nothing
dvd in player: nothing
l a s t | p e r s o n
you touched: The Web Princess. I stretched and she yanked on my arm for no good reason.
hugged: Lisa
hit you: Lisa. Damn punchbuggies.
you kissed: Lisa. I try to make her late for work every day.
a r e | y o u
understanding: Overly.
arrogant: I can be.
Interesting: Yes.
Hungry: Nearly always.
Moody: Not really.
Hardworking: Not enough.
Shy: Nope.
Attractive: Some days.
Bored Easily: Some days.
Angry: Not often, but when I am, it flares up pretty strong.
Sad: Once in a while
Happy: Generally speaking, yes.
Hyper: The more people around, the more hyper I get.
Trusting: Yes.
Talkative: Most days.
w h o | d o | y o u | w a n n a
Kill: Nobody. Killing is WRONG.
Slap: Anyone in politics.
Look like: Myself, only thinner and more fit.
Talk to offline: Wil Wheaton
w h i c h | i s | b e t t e r
coke or pepsi: Definitely Coke.
Tall or short: Tall.
r a n d o m
In the morning I am: wishing I was still asleep
all you need is: enough to pay the bills off
Love is: life
Last person you danced with: my sweet bride
Who makes you laugh the most: Lisa
Who makes you smile: everyone
Who has a crush on you: all the girls
n u m b e r
of times I have had my heart broken: twice
of hearts I have broken: Um. Eight?
of girls you've kissed: I don't have enough fingers and toes.
of continents I have lived in: Just here.
of tight friends: a half-dozen
Of DVDs you own: around 150 I think
Of scars on body: three
May 16, 2005
Home Again, Home Again,Jiggity-Jig
We made it back alive! Had a wonderful time! More details to follow.
May 07, 2005
Having a Wonderful Time
Heading to Miami tomorrow for the cruise.
Disney ROCKS!
May 01, 2005
Thank You
Thank you to everyone who shared the past two days with us and who sent us their love and warm wishes. Everything was exactly as we wanted it to be.
See you in two weeks!
April 27, 2005
Sweet Chili and Sour Cream!
I don't normally discuss my job here (I don't want to get Dooced, after all), but I'm very excited. So I shall couch my terms to not reference my employer directly.
I've been preparing for weeks (and weeks) for a single presentation, which will direct the course of my employment for the next year (at the least). While I have yet to give said presentation (it's tentatively scheduled for two days after I return from my honeymoon), the presentation material is finished and has been signed off by my boss and my bosses boss.
It's not the first step, but it's step 0.9, and it's a HUGE load off my mind. Now I can start to relax.
Thoughts
Ever have a funny thought that would make a great joke (or blog entry) but as you hurry to tell someone (or post) you realize there is a perfectly good reason for it and you're kinda glad you never made a silly comment (or post) only to have someone frown and say, 'It's because of this'?
For example, in the men's washroom in my office, waaaay up in the building, there are three urinals. Two are normal and one is set low, as if for children.
I laughed to myself when I noticed and was composing a post about it, something silly about why would they put in a urinal for children in a building with all adult employees? After all, none of us are that short and...wait. Little people. Were we to have someone vertically challenged on the staff, they would need a shorter urinal, much like how we have wheelchair stalls even though no one in the building is in a wheelchair.
Stupid perfectly good explanations.
Interview Meme VI
Interview Meme: Questions Asked by hyperhyphen
April 25, 2005
Interview Meme V
Interview Meme: Questions Asked by lunarvixen
Interview Meme IV
Interview Meme: Questions Asked by lacykitten
Away
Couple people have asked why I'm spending this week away from Lisa, living in the gracious Tim's basement. Well, Lisa has articulated our reasons well on her blog. Go read it!
April 22, 2005
Not Burned, Just Crispy
To prevent spending days 2-7 of the honeymoon confined to a dark hotel room slathered in burn cream, Lisa and I have been hitting the tanning beds for the last week. Lisa is well on her way to becoming one big freckle, and I might have to give up my membership in the Pasty-Faced Web Developer Union (Local 512).
The strange side effect is that I think we might get addicted to it. It feels really good to be completely surrounded by UV radiation. I never got into suntanning as a kid, because it was just too damn hot, but in a climate-controlled facility with full control over tanning exposure, plus music and no damn insects, I think I like it.
Don't worry. I won't go all George Hamilton on you.
Phone Phunny
If I leave my work phone off the hook, instead of doing that loud, annoying 'EHHHH EHHHH EHHHH' thing that my phone at home does, is quietly flashes 'HANG UP!' in the little status window.
Given that I only ever look at the phone when someone calls, it could have been doing that for a long time...
April 21, 2005
Interview Meme III
Interview Meme: Questions Asked by genghiscon
April 20, 2005
Interview Meme II
Interview Meme: Questions Asked by aslan78
April 19, 2005
Interview Meme
Interview Meme: Questions Asked by ruthhall
April 18, 2005
Upgrade
I think the maintenance staff at work must have just gone on a training course. When I used the restroom just after they cleaned it today all the toilet paper rolls had hotel corners.
Much better as compared to two weeks ago when the place smelled like a hateful combination of human feces and buttered popcorn.
Didja know?
Today is Lisa's BIRTHDAY! Every pop over to her blog and wish her a happy-happy!
Happy birthday, my sweet girl!
April 08, 2005
Captain Dog
I don't normally enter these, because they don't make much sense to me, but this one made me giggle.
April 06, 2005
Keen!
Those fun robots at TinyMixTapes made one of my suggested mixes! I'm going to go home and whip it up for a listen!
Legally purchasing all songs, of course.
Buy Me This II
Ooh! It's a shiny clock that no one can read unless they know the trick! Me wantee! The silver one!
Buy Me This!
It's a Pin Clock!
Coffee Redux
Anyone recall my post about the coffee maker in my office last month? Well, I think someone in this office must have read my blog because not only is there a brand new percolater, it has three carafes with it.
Hmm...
April 04, 2005
Monday
I slept great on Friday and Saturday night. Why did I get no sleep last night? Well, I'm sure I slept at some point, but all I really recall was an endless set of roll over/glance at clock/sigh inwardly/roll over/fluff pillow/repeat.
Mouth doesn't hurt as much today. Seems dry socket wasn't as bad as the advertising. Even if the little clove packet they stuffed in oozed its way back out a few hours later. By that point it had lost all consistancy, and simply oozed out every time I shoved it back in.
Bah.
April 01, 2005
The Cure is Worse Than The Disease
Do you know what they do when you have Dry Socket (when the blood clot from an extracted tooth comes out or dissolves early)? They pack the empty socket with Essence of Clove Oil.
Bleagh. I get to taste this junk nearly constatly for the up-to-a-week that it will take to dissolve.
March 28, 2005
Here I go!
I'll let you know in a couple days how it went. See ya!
March 23, 2005
Hmm.
I'm both pleased and disappointed that I haven't been bombarded by hate mail over my stance on the Terry Schiavo case.
I figure either all my readers agree with me, or no one is really reading this anyway. Heh.
March 21, 2005
Huh
As a counter-point to Lisa's...
| Somewhat Debacherous You are 46% pure |
 |
My test tracked 1 variable How you compared to other people your age and gender:
|
| Link: The 100 Point Sexual Purity Test written by ocicat on Ok Cupid |
Ugh
Bad night last night. Lisa was up late expunging the letter to her father from her mind that was keeping her from sleeping, and I woke up at 5 after sleeping on the wrong side with the tooth screaming bloody murder.
Very sleepy today. Fragile. Do not poke.
March 18, 2005
Coffee
The little kitchen area beside my desk has one of those coffee devices that those little restaurants and convenience stores use for coffee. 
The one where there is a base unit that drips coffee into a large dispenser which can then be carted away and a new one carafe stuck in.
Boy, that explanation sucked. Here, click on the picture to see it better.
Anyway, I asked around. We only have one carafe for it, and no one knows if it has EVER been cleaned. And it's not like one of those glass pots where everyone can see how filthy it is and someone eventually breaks down and sticks it in the dishwasher.
This is one of the reasons I've switched to tea at work.
March 17, 2005
Sigh
March 28. That's when they come out.
I guess I can survive that long.
March 15, 2005
My Boss
My boss is the best boss in the world.
I went to her today, saying that the pain was just too much, that I am in near-constant agony. It's affecting my work -- when you have to re-type nearly every word for spelling errors, you know it's affecting you. It's affecting my social life -- my friends have been noticing that I've been distant and irritable and stressed and I've been missing out on games and fun nights. Pain killers are only barely working.
So, I ask, is there anything that can be done?
One hour later, she comes back to me. The company will start my health coverage early. As of tomorrow. The nice HR lady will contact our rep at the company to fast-track the approval of the procedure and the re-payment. All fixed.
I love my boss.
So I have an appointment for Thursday for a consultation, and while they can't say when I'll get in for the procedure until they have a look, their receptionist did say, "We will not leave you in pain."
Woot!
Me Wantee
Dungeons and Dragons for Dummies. Not because I need it, but because it's funny.
Thanks to Jason for seeing this.
March 13, 2005
Picture Meme
I like this one...
THE RULES: Go to images.google.com, type in your answers, and post the first postable image result for each.
March 11, 2005
50 worst songs
Blatantly stolen from Catalytic:
This is a list of the 50 Worst Songs of All Time, as put together by the hip magazine Blender. Your task, if you choose to accept it, is to bold the items that you actually like. This might be more embarrassing than you think. Remember, no one is reading this. Well, no one of importance...
Gina's addition: italicize the songs you *really* loathe.
1. We Built This City - Starship
2. Achy Breaky Heart - Billy Ray Cyrus
3. Everybody Have Fun Tonight - Wang Chung
4. Rollin' - Limp Bizkit
5. Ice Ice Baby - Vanilla Ice
6. The Heart of Rock & Roll - Huey Lewis and the News
7. Don't Worry, Be Happy - Bobby McFerrin
8. Party All the Time - Eddie Murphy
9. American Life - Madonna
10. Ebony and Ivory - Paul McCartney and Stevie Wonder
11. Invisible - Clay Aiken
12. Kokomo - The Beach Boys
13. Illegal Alien - Genesis
14. From a Distance - Bette Midler
15. I'll Be There for You - The Rembrandts
16. What's Up? - 4 Non Blondes
17. Pumps and a Bump - Hammer
18. You're the Inspiration - Chicago
19. Broken Wings - Mr. Mister
20. Dancing on the Ceiling - Lionel Richie
21. Two Princes - Spin Doctors
22. Courtesy of the Red, White and Blue (The Angry American) - Toby Keith
23. Sunglasses at Night - Corey Hart
24. Superman - Five for Fighting
25. I'll Be Missing You - Puff Daddy featuring Faith Evans and 112
26. The End - The Doors
27. The Final Countdown - Europe
28. Your Body Is a Wonderland - John Mayer
29. Breakfast at Tiffany's - Deep Blue Something
30. Greatest Love of All - Whitney Houston
31. Mmm Mmm Mmm Mmm - Crash Test Dummies
32. Will 2K - Will Smith
33. Barbie Girl - Aqua
34. Longer - Dan Fogelberg
35. Shiny Happy People - R.E.M.
36. Make Em Say Uhh! - Master P featuring Silkk, Fiend, Mia-X and Mystikal
37. Rico Suave - Gerardo
38. Cotton Eyed Joe - Rednex
39. She Bangs - Ricky Martin
40. I Wanna Sex You Up - Color Me Badd
41. We Didn't Start the Fire - Billy Joel
42. The Sound of Silence - Simon & Garfunkel
43. Follow Me - Uncle Kracker
44. I'll Do Anything for Love (But I Won't Do That) - Meat Loaf
45. Mesmerize - Ja Rule featuring Ashanti
46. Hangin' Tough - New Kids on the Block
47. The Only Thing That Looks Good on Me Is You - Bryan Adams
48. Ob-La-Di, Ob-La-Da - The Beatles
49. I'm Too Sexy - Right Said Fred
50. My Heart Will Go On - Celine Dion
February 15, 2005
Joke of the Week
An elephant was drinking out of a river one day, when he spotted a turtle asleep on a log. So, he ambled on over and kicked it clear across the river.
"What did you do that for?" asked a passing giraffe.
"Because I recognized it as the same turtle that took a nip out of my trunk 53 years ago."
"Wow, what a memory" commented the giraffe.
"Yes," said the elephant. "Turtle recall".
February 14, 2005
Valentine
Lisa drives by and drops off:
- One blue rose
- Large stuffed giraffe
- 'I Love You' balloon
Silly girl. Love her so very much.
And all I did was wake her up with Valentine Cupcakes.
February 04, 2005
I Wish
Wish I had more to say here this week. The whole week has been absorbed by the mundane details of unpacking and setting up the new house, none of which I think would excite anyone. Ooh! They've emptied another box! Woo!
Course, if anyone has any spare bookcases lying around, we'd love to have them. During our year-and-a-half and R&J's, we filled every available spot on our current shelves, not remembering all the little-used reference books and the like in storage at my folks' place. So our shelves are overstuffed to critical levels, and, should you fail to hear from us for more than a week at a time, please call the ski patrol and have them come extricate us from a literary avalanche.
And my tooth is hurting again, damn it all. The temporary filling is still in place, but it may not last until April, which is when my coverage starts again. And there are few ways we can finance the extraction that needs to take place.
Do dentists take Air Miles?
January 25, 2005
Gravity
Ever have a day when it feels like gravity has gotten stronger? Not only do I, personally, feel heavier, but the air feels thick and sounds are muted and everything seems a little harder.
I can't wait until Sunday, and all the moving and junk is done.
January 07, 2005
Because All The Cool Kids Did It.
December 25, 2004
OHMYGOD! OHMYGOD!
Lisa got us a HONEYMOON!!!!!!
December 20, 2004
Not freaking AGAIN
I have only been well for a week and a half and I wake up with the beginnings of a sore throat AGAIN??? This is freaking RIDICULOUS!
Fine. I'll drink my echinachea, chug down my ColdFX, whatever. Just so long as I'm not sick on Christmas. For the third year running.
December 03, 2004
Blind Lemon Phil
I'm in the 'blues singer' portion of my new illness. Deep and throaty with lots of gravel. It'd be fun if it didn't hurt so much to talk.
You know, I'm okay with being sick right now. If I can avoid the trend of the last two years of being sick over Christmas, I'll be ecstatic. Get it all over and done with early.
December 02, 2004
As a Dog
So after spending two weeks sick from this stupid lingering bug, I think I managed to catch my sick Boss's cold when I saw her and her sick husband at the Christmas party this past weeked.
Bleagh.
November 22, 2004
Christmas Present!
I totally want this shirt. I'll wear it at my next Vampire gathering. Hee!
November 18, 2004
Cyst
To answer the question in the comments in the main area, I had a cyst removed from the side of my neck. Nothing cancerous, just a little plugged gland that was busy making a pearl.
Oh, and if you missed the reference to the cyst, it was in the notify email. Sign up now!
Isn't this an exciting way to make my first post here?