Jennifer

ups and downs

2006-06-14T23:42:02Z

Little TAZ has been demanding "tathieu" all day since Monday. She went to the jungle gym with him on Sunday. That was mostly a bust due to out-of-control 7 year olds who mashed little TAZ into the mats by climbing over her -- and this was in the "3 and under" section. Sheesh! Following that, she came down (up?) with a fever and seems to have popped out a few canines (eye-teeth) since then. Wowee. So she's basically been keeping me up at night, as well I seem to have an ear-thingy that came along with my current cold. So I am T-I-R-E-D.
Meanwhile, the house reno's are going full steam ahead plus now that the infernal/eternal rain has let up, the crazy roofer guys showed up and started ripping off our perfectly-not-so-good roof. I wonder if they ever show up at the wrong address by mistake? Imagine getting home from work and finding out you have 1/2 a new roof? Worse still, its in green shingles. Speaking of shingles, do you know anyone who ever had them and whats it like (cause I am curious)?
In other news, our little home business is becoming wildly successfull -- all without any $$$ coming in for a few weeks now. It seems that a high proportion of our sales leads are manifesting as projects that need to be done "right now" etc etc. I was wildly happy today to have a call to say that my proposal of last week has been basically accepted pending a scoping exercise. Yay! So now as long as we can continue on this path and deliver excellent value to our customers, we should be able to keep feeding our nasty habit of expensively renovating the house. :) OK so its not a habit... yet! LOL.
Busy? me? It sure doesn't seem like I am getting much 'real' work done... back to the VM to look at some code.

do Fireflies dream of the moon?

2006-06-03T04:14:07Z

I love the Magical (seemingly!) burst of light, so brief you question whether you actually saw it, then while still pondering that, you see (think you see it!) another one off to the side and faith is restored.

These little bugs save up their energy and release it in short burst of photons throughout the night. Tiny they are, but acheive a feat of engineering so awesome. All just to say (and the sciene says its true) "I am *here*!!!" They aren't intimidated by the moon and its constant barage of competing photons.

start clique - In 1969, a generation was changed as man walked on the moon. - end clique
I am 32 years old.
Man (nor woman) hasn't walked on the moon in 33 years. For my entire lifetime, no-one (or at least she hasn't told me if so) has been to the moon. Are we afraid to compete with out past?

I figure the internet has changed everything for my generation, check. And so I wonder, what is going to change her generation, i.e. that of my daughter. Who is going to cry out for her "We are *here*!!!"?

TANSTAAFL

2006-05-17T12:46:25Z

Simply translated, there aint no such thing as a free lunch.

A friend of mine is considering investing is real estate.... allow me to elaborate. The condos are apparently selling for about 1/8th the going rate in the area. The "agent" has a personal-style email address. The "agent" had demanded that my friend sign a bunch of papers, but then did not leave her a copy, telling her this was standard real-estate procedure. Hmmm. Something is fishy, yes, but hopefully we have caught it in time and no money will actually end up in the Caymans.

But, aside from asking around, how do you know you aren't just getting a really good deal? First think TANSTAAFL. Then ask some questions to yourself: Why am *I* being invited to make such a huge profit? The tough answer is that in-fact there are actually free lunches out there and we hear stories of Lotto winners or people who have benefited greatly from real-estate/stocks. But before we all get excited and start to chant "me too meee toooo!", as Dora the Explorer says "Lets stop and think!" In both situations, these winners are either insiders or just very lucky.

As I am very nearly certain that the physical law of gravity causes the earth to orbit the sun, I am similarly certain that you and I are not an insiders and will therefore have to rely on the physical law of "work hard for your money". The alternative to being an insider is of course luck. If you wish to try using luck to get rich, then it is vastly more satisfying to go to the professionals and piss away your childrens education at the Casino where there are shiny things, flashing lights and sometimes even free food.

NUFF SAID

fringlish?

2006-04-26T13:06:35Z

I tried my hand at a French composition for a potential client, then ran it through Babelfish to see if it worked out.... LMAO!!! needless to say, I skipped the French and stuck to English this time.

I French comprende but I have just learned (since 2 years now). Between the very technical things - I do not know the clean vocabulary yet. Then, you excuse that my CV are in English now. Thank you.

Original: Je compren français mais je viens d’apprendre (depuis 2 ans maintenant). Entre les choses très techniques – je ne sais pas encore la vocabulaire propre. Alors, excusez-vous que mon CV est en anglais maintenant. Merci.

bridgefiend @ 2006-04-22T09:55:00

2006-04-22T13:56:56Z

LMAO -- just to show that video games have redeeming artistic merit, someone goes and creates a comic strip from one :)

http://www.hlcomic.com/index.php?date=2005-06-15

Its a ... baby!

2006-04-10T00:47:31Z

I am thinking of some friends who are currently expecting, but in a way they don't know what to expect. Now that I have been a mom for over a year, I thought I would compose the "list" of all things needed in order to care for a baby.

But to preface the list, you don't need all this Stuff -- after all, our mothers and grandmothers had but a fraction of these resources available and we turned out fine! But, if you ask me, it sure comes in handy. And if you ask them, they will often agree. But before getting stressed out, keep this thought in mind: Its just a baby!

Babies have been raised in dresser drawers, eating only graham crackers soaked in water, sucking on an old rag stuffed with crystal sugar for comfort, and playing with dolls made of old newpapers...

The List

- bottles. Most people end up using bottles. First of all, it doesn't really matter which ones you buy as long as you baby will accept it -- which in itself can be a matter of timing, technique, age of baby as well as bottle shape. Don't waste money on the really fancy anti-burp bottles because baby will simply gulp air regardless of the bottle design. Do make sure the nib/nipple has an age-appropriate low flow rate so baby doesn't think its drinking from niagara falls. Disposables/ removable bags do not make cleanup any easier since bottles just go in the dishwasher anyways. The nibs are always the part requiring attention.

- clothes. How much? Enough so that if the baby pukes 5 times in one night, there is still something for it to wear. Always buy clothes that fasten in the front (not the back), that open to provide room for the head, that sheild the top and inner sides of abrasive things such as zippers with soft cloth flaps. Discard clothes that are tight and leave marks on baby's skin when taken off, that have dangling strings. Be wary of anything that needs to be ironed, dry cleaned or that has more than 9 snaps. The sizes on the clothing are always approximate. Stick to brands you know so you will have a good sense of the sizes. Don't buy too far in the future, because by the time the items fit, they will probably be out of season. And, by the way, you now need to wear pajamas... so buy a few warm pairs.

- diapers. How much? Always have an extra box. How big? The weights on the boxes are very optimistic. As soon as the poo leaks out the side or back, go up a size.

- wipes. Get unscented ones with aloe. Buy them in bulk. The store brand ones can be very good.

- zinc cream. Use after every poo and at nighttime. Also very important to let the bum dry completely before applying.

- washclothes. These are handy, have about 10 soft little cloths.

- burp blankets. These are not useful after a few months. Towels do such a better job.

- swaddling blankets. These are great for a few months, then baby will kick them off because they are too small.

- baby towels. Good for the first year, then become too small.

- medecine. Tempra or baby tylenol. Stock lots of it and use it whenever necessary. It takes 20 minutes to kick in.

- thermometer. A quick-to-read therm. such as an ear thermometer. Read the instructions several times. When you need to use the device, you will have other stuff on your mind. Take the baby's temperature regularly when it is well so you both can get used to the process.

- fingernail clippers. Get the best you can find. Use them regularly.

- bath. The baby bath tub and similar items are good until baby can sit up (5-8 months), then you can use the real tub.

- baby soap, lotion, powder. Its all good. Try to find unscented or lighty scented items. We never used baby powder, but be sure to buy the cornstarch version. Lotion is often needed in the winter -- or you could just feed your kid extra butter :) no kidding. You can also get a toothbrush -- they say to replace them every three months just like ours.

- toys. Yes. Have some small ones with a lot of activites which can be taken along for car rides and visits. For loud ones, cover the speaker grill with packing tape. If anything chips/flakes off within the first few minutes of play, throw it away. Beware dollar-store bargains (often received as gifts). Babies like to look at pictures of people, so get a baby-friendly photo album and add your pictures.

- music. Get some lullabyes and also some singable songs. Both can really set the right mood for mom and baby. Don't play music when baby is really upset because baby probably needs quiet and lowered stimulation to calm down.

- sheets. Buy plain, no pattern, sheets. And have two or three of them. Bumpers are not necessary and become even more of a hazard as baby becomes mobile. Quilts are also not for baby. If any cover, use a small baby blanket and be sure it doesn't cover baby's face.

- baby monitor. Before you buy, check frequency versus that of your mobile home phone. Monitor with heartrate is excellent for young babies (and I highly recommend it), but keep in mind it is no longer practical after 6-8 months when baby begins to move around the crib more. Monitors with recharging stand are available and may save on batteries. Most moms wish they had a monitor which could clip to a belt or pocket, but I have yet to see this product.

- crib. Yes. Make sure it is easy and quiet to raise/lower the side railing. You should re-tighten all bolts after about 6 months because they can get loose. Bumpers are not recommended.
- baby hammock. This is a great crib alternative for the 0-6 or 9 months -- basically until baby wants to have freedom of movement. The baby hammock keeps the baby comfy on its back. This reduces risk of suffocation and also flat-headedness. The built-in spring means that you can "rock" the fussy baby to sleep by literally poking the hammock rythmically with your finger. This is way better than walking and rocking the baby in your arms, only to have it awaken as you dump it into the hard-surfaced crib. The hammock can be washed, but you only get one, so have a crib handy for those emergencies when baby is sick. The hammock is lightweight, very portable, takes up little floor space and includes the foam mattress and two sheets. It is easy to tuck in a blanket also.

- crib mattress. Buy the firmest one. Make sure it is a tight fit for the crib. Otherwise baby will stick its head down into the corner and get stuck. Guaranteed.

- change table. Maybe. If you have a low dresser, you can simply top with a change pad (a specially shaped foam thingy covered in washable plastic) and a non-slip underlayer. Or you can use a bed. Its a real bonus to place the change table next to a sink for easy wash up.

- diaper disposal. Yes. Check out the price of the bags before you commit. The diaper genie is not always the best choice because it can be hard to use and still smells a bit.

- rocking/gliding chair. Yes. Make sure it is really really comfy (head and arm support, butt padding) because you will spend several nights almost sleeping in it while cuddling a sick baby. Add a towel on top because a towel is easily washable and changeable. Drape a blanket over the chair to have it handy (for you) at nighttime. Keep a pillow nearby to prop up your tired, baby-holding arms. Cover the pillow in a towel too (you get the idea).

- high chair. Yes. Must be easy to clean (check how to remove the padding before you buy), tray must be easy to remove, double tray is a nice bonus feature. There should be a pillar between baby's legs so it cannot slip out. Seatbelt should be easy to use. Do not wash padding in machine unless the label says so. Nice to have: reclining, adjustable height, wheels.

- bouncer/swing. Good up to 1 year then baby is too big. Before that it can be really wonderful and fun for baby.

- car seat. Once you are past the "baby bucket" you will need a convertible. Make sure straps are easy to loosen and tighten. Some seats have the adjustment in front, between baby's legs. Be sure the cover can be removed for washing. Once you find the one you like, buy one for each car. Seatbelt should have 5 point harnass.

- stroller. Look for the following features: weight, easy to fold, how big when folded vs the trunk of your car, big wheels for slush and ice, does the canopy extend to the front to keep the sun/rain off sleeping baby? Easy to clean? Brakes are easy to use? Spot for diaper bag? Spot for mom's coffee? Seatbelt should have 5 point harness. Before using, dab a bit of silicone grease on the wheel at the axels. Try to get a clear rain/wind shield at same time.

- camera, photo frames, and albums. Digital printing at Cosco/Price Club is awesome, fast and cheap!

Personality 5

2005-10-05T16:57:56Z

In response to talyesin's color test -- which was um silly, BTW -- I took a more academic test. Results were as I would expect. I am less neurotic than 95% of people. Yay, its always good to check, just in case!

Openness to Experience/Intellect
High scorers tend to be original, creative, curious, complex; Low scorers tend to be conventional, down to earth, narrow interests, uncreative.
- You are relatively open to new experiences. (Your percentile: 65)

Conscientiousness
High scorers tend to be reliable, well-organized, self-disciplined, careful; Low scorers tend to be disorganized, undependable, negligent.
- You are very well-organized, and can be relied upon. (Your percentile: 94)

Extraversion
High scorers tend to be sociable, friendly, fun loving, talkative; Low scorers tend to be introverted, reserved, inhibited, quiet.
- You are relatively social and enjoy the company of others. (Your percentile: 64)

Agreeableness
High scorers tend to be good natured, sympathetic, forgiving, courteous; Low scorers tend to be critical, rude, harsh, callous.
- You are neither extremely forgiving nor irritable. (Your percentile: 50)

Neuroticism
High scorers tend to be nervous, high-strung, insecure, worrying; Low scorers tend to be calm, relaxed, secure, hardy.
- You probably remain calm, even in tense situations. (Your percentile: 5)

my ask:
The test encourages you to evaluate a friend -- if you feel inclined, eval me and post the result as a reply. I'd be curious, just in case I am wrong :)
I'm a O65-C94-E64-A50-N5 Big Five!!

Doubters

2005-10-03T02:16:58Z

And for all of those amongst you who didn't believe me about the miniature deer, I'll show you what TV at 6AM does for the brain!

yoinked: http://www.muntjac.com
HA!

October is my favorite season

2005-10-03T01:50:03Z

October, er Autumnum, is one of my favorite seasons. So WTF!!! how did it suddenly get to be October 2 when I wasn't looking? Seriously, I guess I have been sick because the 27th of Sept is the last day I clearly remember. Sigh. It all goes so fast. But seriously...

Autumn is a time for reflection, for walks in the park holding hands with a loved one. A time to whip out that camera and take some candids of nature throwing out the last colours us poor-bastard Canadians are going to see for a long time. I like to look at the photos in January and remind myself of colour.

Not that white is so bad either, actually winder [sic] is my *fourth* favorite season.
In my childhood, up north, I don't remember very long autumns, hence 'october' as the season was about right. I do remember the heavenly smell of drying leaves, sweet underfoot, and the fresh breeze mixing them up, and the surprised ptarmigans as their cover is blown, literally, where they huddle under the willows. One year they changed white a couple of weeks early, so there they were thinking "we are all sitting here in our camouflage, keep on walking, nothing to see", clucking away. What fun to see them there. If you don't know, a ptarmigan is something of an endemic Canadian chicken. Never did eat one tho'.

So this year, here we have today. I am feeling better, as is the SO. We take the little one outside onto the lawn (lush and green, October or not) and look out at 'our' forest slowly taking on the colours. Watching the birds, and the stray/wild cat aka "that d#!$ cat" which, predictably, came by for a visit -- much to the interest of TAZ. Very peaceful, warm, beautiful. What a nice year this is shaping up to be. Now if I can kick this cold to the curb, won't life be perfect?

Falling...

2005-09-27T04:56:16Z

Can't sleep, caffeine late in the day... when did I get this old?
The baby is asleep. The SO is asleep. Me? Wide awake.

Random thoughts:
1. Finally got over the flu, almost -- I decided to rename my cold as a flu due to severity and fever.
2. My agent has confirmed a gig for Oct-Dec, including a brief junket to WA. Sounds like yay! I can visit my fav hotel now -- W!! Basically this should keep me out of trouble for a while -- plus I can say "my agent" ;)
3. Need to get more sleep -- so tired, wonder why. Not.
4. Gonna write a book with the_adzo for additional fun.
5. Starting to feel can plan out my days again, now that things are starting to fall into pattern, speaking of which,
6. FALL! two days before the official start, I'm sitting. In the sun. On my lawn. Which is green. And leaves are practically fleeing from the trees. Leaves which haven't had the decency to turn yellow yet. WTF?

Canada's greatest bridge

2005-09-21T15:52:30Z

Which one? Confederation bridge of course.
Experience it here with a live view. Sweet!

Windows .next

2005-09-21T15:38:36Z

At PDC this year MeSs announced the bold new strategy to split current platform into 7 separate products...

As in Seven ways to die: Gluttony * (ahem) Greed * Sloth * Envy * Wrath * Pride * Lust.

The Seven Wonders of the Ancient World: Giza Pyramid, Hanging gardens of Babylon, Zeus at Olympia, Temple of Artemis, Mausoleum at Halicarnassus, Colossus of Rhodes, Lighthouse of Alexandria. Yah, name one that is intact or not located in a zone infested with terrorists (US or otherwise).

And finally, the Seven Dwarves: Dopey, Grumpy, Doc, Bashful, Sleepy, Sneezy, Happy. My choice right now is Dopey -- as in, this is a really dopey idea to split a great brand into so many useless fragments (raising the price on many) so that no-one can figure out what to use. Speaking as the family & friends tech support, what a nightmare! The current edition of HOME is not sufficient, how can splitting this int three new products help families? PS. the smart money is that the lowest level will be free -- but will *anyone* take this crippled version seriously?

So, who's biting off a poison apple now?

TAZ...

2005-09-20T23:21:49Z

Everyday she amazes me. Now she is sleeping. Hoping tomorrow she will feel better. Hoping tonight I get some rest.

Here she is madly pushing buttons, trying to make me "eep!" as the computer starts to shutdown, or emails begin disappearing from my inbox :)

Luxor Island

2005-09-15T11:57:21Z

<rant>
Ok, so yesterday I am out *consulting* and I hear something that comes up from time-to-time: a veiled offer. Now maybe you have heard of a veiled threat? You know, a threat that is implied to be there but never actually made... well a veiled offer is a sort of sneaky way to indicate a potential interest without any need whatsoever to follow it up. So what I hear is "its not just salary, there are other benefits too", said by -youguessedit- yet another owner of a Software Product Company.

Well I am SORRY but! Why in the world would I want to shovel the shit belowdecks on your 3rd rate random-walk cruise ship with the lotto-ticket goal of finding a TREASURE ISLAND, when, -oh yeah- *you* are the captain? I find this a bit much when I JUST MENTIONED that my husband and I have bought our own little Yacht and ... at this point mr. captain stopped listening. But you are still reading so ... and we are heading for a nearby cluster of LUXOR ISLANDS which are clearly marked with little signs such as "some more $$$ here". I like my Yacht and our little busines. Resolved: Will try to convince mr. captain to stop by for a resupply on his way to Treasure Island.

I guess I am not much of a treasure island girl. Since I *missed* my first chance in '98 I am more inclined to just work for my money.
</rant>

Outed!

2005-09-07T23:14:18Z

Eeep, I've been outed by my loving SO! And here I was planning to keep an undercover LJ, only to reveal it when the time was nigh. Since we are all here, I think I will start making good on my moniker.

Here we have a bridge, somewhat affectionately known as the Cochrane/Africatown USA Bridge. And here we have an oil rig, Chemul, somewhat long of tooth but realistically with a few good years left.

One dark and stormy night.... in something of a blind date gone disasterously wrong, the two wayward artifacts of modern engineering met. As one engineer put it, "score 99 for the bridge, and 1 for the rig".

Gas Prices

2005-09-07T05:00:35Z

Topic of the hour: So many many people are complaining about gas prices. They want the industry nationalized/regulated to bring the prices down. Me, I'm not so sure. I'm think to myself that we need to get real with the idea that there is not so much gas left and furthermore we (northamericans) do not have a manifest destiny to consume all that remains. Consider the developing world as their needs will grow. The current price shock will hopefully cause some small awakening that change is needed, sooner is better than later in this case. What change, i-am-not-the-expert, but interesting bedtime reading would be: Rifkin's Hydrogen Economy.

Intro...

2005-09-07T04:54:38Z

Rant: Just signed myself up here... had to prove I was 'human'. Truth is -- one is never sure, but apparently now there is a test. (Yes I passed, sigh... disbelievers all of you!) Tho, suspiciously the test consisted of typing a nonsense word of their choosing. I would think it necessary to enter a meaningful thought to prove essential humanity. I guess I'll leave that for the rest of my LJ.