"I feel I'm incredibly fascinating and this blog bears witness to that simple fact. Friends, from far and wide, are often pestered to keep abreast of my life and opinions. I offer my most sincere greetings to random visitors as well."
- 49 12.284N 122 54.408W
- New Westminster,
- British Columbia, CANADA
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Saturday, June 26, 2004
Maps, Maps, and More Maps!
Click the screenshot --->Ever since I can remember, I've been interested in maps. (And this new month-long love fest with GPSing is probably an outgrowth of that.) I picked up Microsoft Streets and Trips. It's a primarily North American product and I didn't have many expectations about its capabilities.
Consequently, after installing it, I've decided it is quite amazing! One can start by seeing the whole continent and then zoom right into street-level. There's also a lot of data including the location of landmarks and even individual businesses. How great it would be on a traveling-salesman's, notebook computer. One can even investigate the next few Interstate exits to find which has the right fast food restaurant.
Pocket Streets software is included in the package too. It is fairly useful and a new reason to bring along my aging Compaq iPAQ. Oh, and damn, if I spend another $60 for a specialized cable, I can plug both the iPAQ and my GPS into the truck's cigarette lighter. Then I could see exactly where I am, in real time, on the PocketPC. How come I cannot find hobbies which are free?
Friday, June 25, 2004
N 49� 11.990 W 122� 54.683 (WGS84)
As Britney once said, "Oops, I did it again!"
This time, however, I hid a micro.
New Westminster Quay - Coin Cache
The New Westminster Quay Public Market is on the Fraser River.
This time, however, I hid a micro.
New Westminster Quay - Coin Cache
The New Westminster Quay Public Market is on the Fraser River.
Labels: Quay
Thursday, June 24, 2004
Online 'Social Networking'
www.theage.com.au
Secret Societies
By Mike Barton
May 22, 2004
You've probably never had to ask whether your best mate since kindergarten is your 'real' friend. You just know - mates are mates. If there were ever any doubts, your friendship lasted the fight for the same girl and that trip around Europe together.
With the invitation-only social networking website, orkut, you're asked to look at what friendship really means online. Say no to the final question during sign-up asking whether your invite was from a 'real' friend and you'll miss out on orkut's promise of 'social bliss'."
a) This seems like an interesting topic. [Article's link has expired]
b) I'm an Internet social climber. Quick, send me an orkut invitation right now.
Secret Societies
By Mike Barton
May 22, 2004
You've probably never had to ask whether your best mate since kindergarten is your 'real' friend. You just know - mates are mates. If there were ever any doubts, your friendship lasted the fight for the same girl and that trip around Europe together.
With the invitation-only social networking website, orkut, you're asked to look at what friendship really means online. Say no to the final question during sign-up asking whether your invite was from a 'real' friend and you'll miss out on orkut's promise of 'social bliss'."
a) This seems like an interesting topic. [Article's link has expired]
b) I'm an Internet social climber. Quick, send me an orkut invitation right now.
Labels: Internet
Wednesday, June 23, 2004
Get 'em while they're hot! I possess more Google Mail invitations than I can possibly give out. If you want one (or two), just write. I will ask for nothing but your undying respect and admiration. What a small price to pay, eh?
Labels: Google
An Infinite Number of Monkeys
Damn it; I've got determination! I set a goal to blog every day, so come hell or high water there'll be something. I started on Labour Day of last year, and with 2004 being a leap year, I calculate that this is my 297th day of blogging.
There might not be much rhyme nor reason to the content of this blog. I haven't taken the time to ensure that all facets of my life get recorded.
Yet, I reckon if I keep doing this long enough, then eventually a representative collection of words and pictures will prevail. I am still convinced that a type of clarity will emerge if enough random information is collected. My fascination with a particular topic might color the blog for a while and I've not been one to sit down with an intent to inform or entertain. Over the long haul, however, my true essence will be distilled in text right here.
You're most welcome to continue along on the trip.
There might not be much rhyme nor reason to the content of this blog. I haven't taken the time to ensure that all facets of my life get recorded.
Yet, I reckon if I keep doing this long enough, then eventually a representative collection of words and pictures will prevail. I am still convinced that a type of clarity will emerge if enough random information is collected. My fascination with a particular topic might color the blog for a while and I've not been one to sit down with an intent to inform or entertain. Over the long haul, however, my true essence will be distilled in text right here.
You're most welcome to continue along on the trip.
Tuesday, June 22, 2004
Tannery Park Geocache
I hid it. They found it first. Visit Tannery Park #GCJQVV on geocaching.com.
Log Date: 6/21/2004
First to find! We also made another find in the park, the infamous Chico and the Mrs! Since we started we have seen there clever stickers at each cache we found so it was nice to see them in person. They were quite friendly and offered some cache hunting tips for us rookies. They also told us that it is not very often you get the privelege of being the first to find a cache.That made the find a little more exciting for us. Thanks! for the chat Chico and the Mrs. maybe we will meet again in some obscure spot.
The park was nice I didn't even know it was there. To our suprise when we got to the park there were two cute bunnies munching on grass. I got nice and close to take a picture. We also walked down a trail, and at the riverfront we saw a beaver swim out of its lodge.
=== The Douglas Clan
Log Date: 6/21/2004
First to find! We also made another find in the park, the infamous Chico and the Mrs! Since we started we have seen there clever stickers at each cache we found so it was nice to see them in person. They were quite friendly and offered some cache hunting tips for us rookies. They also told us that it is not very often you get the privelege of being the first to find a cache.That made the find a little more exciting for us. Thanks! for the chat Chico and the Mrs. maybe we will meet again in some obscure spot.
The park was nice I didn't even know it was there. To our suprise when we got to the park there were two cute bunnies munching on grass. I got nice and close to take a picture. We also walked down a trail, and at the riverfront we saw a beaver swim out of its lodge.
=== The Douglas Clan
Monday, June 21, 2004
No Sweat
I feel a tiny bit anxious now. It's 28C (82F) outside at the moment and the sky is still cloudless.
Because days like this are rarer than hens' teeth, there's a certain amount of guilt from not being outside. I did walk a block to drop off a DVD in a mailbox, but I perspired. I have a personal aversion to that ...
Because days like this are rarer than hens' teeth, there's a certain amount of guilt from not being outside. I did walk a block to drop off a DVD in a mailbox, but I perspired. I have a personal aversion to that ...
Getting Shorter!
Yesterday was the longest day of the year as seen on the screen of my Garmin GPS. I guess it's all downhill from here. There were 16 hours and 14 minutes of daylight between the local sunrise and sunset.
(Maybe I should've tried to take a picture rather than putting the device on the scanner!)
Labels: GPS
Sunday, June 20, 2004
Electronic Black Holes: Delayed Responses
Businesses and organizations need to practice a little email etiquette. (I even have a few friends who could learn a thing or two.) Upon arrival, an immediate message should be returned acknowledging receipt. It should state either the expected response or reference when a subsequent response will be forthcoming. Here's one for which I've been waiting for nearly a week ...
From: Dennis Sylvester Hurd
To: Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa
Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2004 15:45:24 -0700
Subject: Re: from Sri Lanka High Commission/ Ottawa
To: Consular Services, SL High Commission, Ottawa
Thank you for your help and previous email. I am aware that 30-day
visitor visas can be obtained at the airport. However, as stated in
my previous messages, we wish to spend about 60 days there. We've
purchased tickets which show we will arrive on September 2nd and will
depart on October 26th. This is more than the 30 days. As we expect
to travel extensively, it may not be convenient to return to Colombo
in the middle of our journey for visa renewal. It would certainly be
excellent if we were to have the necessary visas in our passport
before our departure.
The following paragraph is taken from your web site
http://www.srilankahcottawa.org:
========================================
Visa for Tourists
Canadian Tourists visiting Sri Lanka will be given visas free of
charge valid up to 30 days at the port of entry. They should have
valid Passports, return air tickets and funds for the stay at the rate
of C$30.00 per day, per person. Those wishing to stay longer should
either obtain a prior visa from this High Commission or, having
entered Sri Lanka with free 30 day visa at the airport, get it
extended on payment of the fee of C$75.00 at the Department of
Immigration and Emigration, Colombo.
========================================
As we wish to stay longer, I would like to know if it is possible to
'obtain a prior visa from this High Commission". I certainly hope
that you can provide additional details which will make our vacation
successful and enjoyable.
Thank you very much for your time and attention to this matter.
From: Dennis Sylvester Hurd
To: Sri Lanka High Commission in Ottawa
Date: Mon, 14 Jun 2004 15:45:24 -0700
Subject: Re: from Sri Lanka High Commission/ Ottawa
To: Consular Services, SL High Commission, Ottawa
Thank you for your help and previous email. I am aware that 30-day
visitor visas can be obtained at the airport. However, as stated in
my previous messages, we wish to spend about 60 days there. We've
purchased tickets which show we will arrive on September 2nd and will
depart on October 26th. This is more than the 30 days. As we expect
to travel extensively, it may not be convenient to return to Colombo
in the middle of our journey for visa renewal. It would certainly be
excellent if we were to have the necessary visas in our passport
before our departure.
The following paragraph is taken from your web site
http://www.srilankahcottawa.org:
========================================
Visa for Tourists
Canadian Tourists visiting Sri Lanka will be given visas free of
charge valid up to 30 days at the port of entry. They should have
valid Passports, return air tickets and funds for the stay at the rate
of C$30.00 per day, per person. Those wishing to stay longer should
either obtain a prior visa from this High Commission or, having
entered Sri Lanka with free 30 day visa at the airport, get it
extended on payment of the fee of C$75.00 at the Department of
Immigration and Emigration, Colombo.
========================================
As we wish to stay longer, I would like to know if it is possible to
'obtain a prior visa from this High Commission". I certainly hope
that you can provide additional details which will make our vacation
successful and enjoyable.
Thank you very much for your time and attention to this matter.
Labels: government, passport
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