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Fighting for peace is like screwing for virginity. -George Carlin-

I once made a small cyclotron for a high school science project. It was roughly 15 inches in diameter and was based on plans originally designed by Ernest Lawrence. I made a few changes and updated a few features on it based on modern innovations and new technologies, but it was basically Ernest's design.
I ended up leaving it at school and letting the teacher decide on whether or not to keep it.I think I regret that decision. I was proud of that little particle accelerator. Mayhaps I shall build another one.

Pax, all.

No animals were killed or injured in the making of this post. A lot of Doritos didn't make it though.

It is a rare mind indeed that can render the hitherto non-existent blindingly obvious. The cry 'I could have thought of that' is a very popular and misleading one, for the fact is that they didn't, and a very significant and revealing fact it is too. -Douglas Adams-

Another rapid fire post today.

-PBS shows some pretty cool "in concert" performances. Stevie Nicks, Stevie Ray Vaughn, The Moody Blues, Pink Floyd....

-Wine definitely does get better with age. I am enjoying a bottle that we made for Steph's wedding and bottled about 1 year ago. It was good then and is even better now.

-I have weird taste in music. Actually, I think eclectic is both more accurate and more flattering. In going through my library, I find there isn't a lot that I don't like. And I seem to have a surprising collection of novelty/quirky/odd songs. I suppose that is somewhat appropriate though, all things considered.

-Seriously.....PBS has some kick ass concerts on.


Pax, all.

Like sands through the hour glass, well, you know the rest..

I'm spending a year dead for tax reasons. -Douglas Adams-

I saw my 7th grade teacher at work today. He's retired now. We talked for a while about people that were in my class, had one of those "where are they now" sort of talks. Between the two of us, it turns out we've managed to keep track of more people from the class than I had expected. It was nice talking to him and catching up with what others were doing, but it also left me to think about what I had accomplished in the years since grade seven.
I have to be honest, things haven't exactly gone according to the plan I had come up with those many years ago. That's not to say that things haven't gone well, or that they turned out badly, though. They have just worked out, differently, than my original plan. I suppose you could say that I'm just still working on the plan I had back then. I've just had a few detours on my way to that destination along the way.

Pax, all.

Today, for a few hours I knew exactly where the exact center of the Universe was.

I have as much authority as the Pope, I just don't have as many people who believe it. -George Carlin-

My Damian is an absolute joy to be around. I am still amazed at how well behaved he is. I don't just say this because he's my grandson. Oh no. I was a baby and I know what cranky and moody is, believe me. I see other babies and they just seem crankier or fussier than Damian is. I am honestly still amazed at how happy and well tempered he is.
Today Sandi and I decided to go pick him up and kidnap him for the day. We went for a walk along the boardwalk, stopped in the mall for a treat, went up to the library and had lunch in the park and then walked back along Queen Street (on the shady side, of course). He smiled and giggled all day.
We played in the park for a while after he ate. I threw him up in the air for a while and actually managed to catch him at least twice! (kidding....kidding. I would never drop precious cargo like that). We played Superman and peek-a-boo, and I taught him how to do a proper raspberry, and then how to do it with food in his mouth...hahahahaha. Take that Steph!
When he started getting tired, he wanted Grandpa. He wanted to fall asleep in my arms and on my shoulder. Yeah... I'm THAT important. More to the point though, Damian is THAT important, and more so.
So there it was... The entire Universe asleep in my arms.
What more can you say.
A wonderful day spent with my wife and my grandson, on a walkabout in fantastic weather. How can you top that?

Pax, all.

Some points, some pointlesses..

If it's true that our species is alone in the universe, then I'd have to say the universe aimed rather low and settled for very little. -George Carlin-

I thought for this post, I would just sort of rapid fire a few observations/irritations put there.

1) When did it become common practice and acceptable for people to bring their dogs into stores shopping with them? I love my dogs, don't get me wrong, but I would never consider going into a store with them under my arm (they are too heavy anyway), or even on a leash for that matter. Thank-you Paris Hilton!

2) Why do people have so much trouble making up their mind when they get to the teller at the bank? They went in there for a reason in the first place, and then had the time in line to go over it again (and again, and again...), but the moment they get to the wicket, they suddenly feel the urge to forget what they originally wanted to do and to find the most complicated way to do the simplest transaction.

3) Are the way the lines work at Tim Horton's REALLY that hard to comprehend? What would make a person think that they are somehow entitled to walk in the door, past the people that were there before them, and go straight to the counter to place their order? The less rude people, of course, simply mull around near the line, letting one or two people go first, and then decide to go ahead of the rest of the people in line.

4) People over the age of 13 that ride their bikes on the sidewalk need to publicly flogged. The ones that refuse to move over and let the walkers pass should be flogged doubly so and then drawn and quartered. I have been bumped, nudged, forced over, and harassed far too many times. Far be it for a pedestrian, using a sidewalk designed for pedestrian use, to be in the way of a bicycle using the sidewalk, that is not intended or legal for it to use. Get on the road where you belong.

That's it for now. I am fairly sure I'll do one of these posts again.

Pax, all.

That's when it hit me.

A common mistake that people make when trying to design something completely foolproof is to underestimate the ingenuity of complete fools. -Douglas Adams-

Good news and then the catch. It can be maddening. I caught wind of a couple of legitimate career job opportunities in the last few days. These are ones that I would actually have a more than fair chance of getting, since the people that told me about them were eager to have me work there. This is AWESOME news. Then came the catch. The positions weren't actually open until the late fall.
Talk about taking the joy out of good news. I am still thrilled about the potential, don't get me wrong. I would just be even more thrilled if I thought I could be starting sooner. Such is life, I suppose. I will just have to be patient.
Perhaps I need to be more Zen like.


Pax, all.

OK, Seriously................

Happy Canada Day Everyone!!! I suppose that's all there is for today. Just a huge amount of pride in my heritage and in my country.
Please allow me to quote :
Hey, I'm not a lumberjack, or a fur trader.... I don't live in an igloo or eat blubber, or own a dogsled.... and I don't know Jimmy, Sally or Suzy from Canada, although I'm certain they're really really nice. I have a Prime Minister, not a president. I speak English and French, not American. And I pronounce it 'about', not 'a boot'. I can proudly sew my country's flag on my backpack. I believe in peace keeping, not policing, diversity, not assimilation, and that the beaver is a truly proud and noble animal. A toque is a hat, a chesterfield is a couch, and it is pronounced 'zed' not 'zee', 'zed' !!!! Canada is the second largest landmass! The first nation of hockey! and the best part of North America My name is Joe!! And I am Canadian!!!

I am a proud Canadian.

HAPPY CANADA DAY!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Pax, all!