"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, August 28, 2004
my eJournal stats
It came as a bit of a surprise that Saturday is the day with the least visitors here. I guess, more people than I thought blog surf from work!
Friday, August 27, 2004
Listening Practice for November
Nowadays, it'd be pretty silly to use cassette tapes to record audio exercises for students. The Internet allows a single file to be played simulataneously from a variety of locations. I am thinking in terms of reading some web materials as listening practice. There's so much out there that's authentic and would be especially helpful for pre-technical, ESL learners. I think I will be able to easily post an online reading everyday with the help of www.blogger.com.
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Labels: Internet
Thursday, August 26, 2004
Gettin' All Charged Up
You know how new, computer printers seem like real bargains until you go to buy an ink cartridge? Then, you end up paying at least one third of the initial cost for that stinking, little reservoir of ink.
Years ago, I had heard that it would cost over 100K to buy a Toyota Corolla if one tried to purchase it piece by piece. It seems as if manufacturers really sock it to 'ya when buying parts.
Now, I've another example to add to this phenomena: Not wanting to be without a spare, camcorder battery when on vacation, I thought it'd be necessary to buy an extra one. It is lithium, but very small. You can see the actual size by comparing it to a quarter in my photo. The Sony NP-FP50 battery cost $89 before taxes!
Years ago, I had heard that it would cost over 100K to buy a Toyota Corolla if one tried to purchase it piece by piece. It seems as if manufacturers really sock it to 'ya when buying parts.
Now, I've another example to add to this phenomena: Not wanting to be without a spare, camcorder battery when on vacation, I thought it'd be necessary to buy an extra one. It is lithium, but very small. You can see the actual size by comparing it to a quarter in my photo. The Sony NP-FP50 battery cost $89 before taxes!
Public Art for Charity
They're colourful, they're weird, and they're all around the cities of Vancouver and Victoria. You might wonder what Orcas in the City are.
This picture of one was taken on Tuesday at the exhibit mentioned earlier, so it had Egyptian hieroglyphics! Maybe you'd like like to see examples of others in Vancouver or Victoria.
This picture of one was taken on Tuesday at the exhibit mentioned earlier, so it had Egyptian hieroglyphics! Maybe you'd like like to see examples of others in Vancouver or Victoria.
Labels: British Columbia, Vancouver Island
Wednesday, August 25, 2004
The Day Away
Yesterday was a rainy day; not just showers, but an almost continuous pouring rain. I'm now officially from the 'left coast' as it seemed very normal and comforting.
The exhibition was interesting. Of course, when you've seen one ivory, early dynastic period, mid-1st Dynasty, reign of Den (ca. 2985 B.C.) plaque, then you've seen 'em all! Sorry, no photos were allowed inside the exhibit. Be sure to click the first and last link in this entry for two other photos though.
There was a geocache at the harbour so we took twenty minutes after eating sandwiches, and found it.
The transport was comfortable and easy. I would recommend Pacific Coach Lines if one is considering driving over to downtown Victoria from the Southern Mainland.
The exhibition was interesting. Of course, when you've seen one ivory, early dynastic period, mid-1st Dynasty, reign of Den (ca. 2985 B.C.) plaque, then you've seen 'em all! Sorry, no photos were allowed inside the exhibit. Be sure to click the first and last link in this entry for two other photos though.
There was a geocache at the harbour so we took twenty minutes after eating sandwiches, and found it.
The transport was comfortable and easy. I would recommend Pacific Coach Lines if one is considering driving over to downtown Victoria from the Southern Mainland.
Labels: British Columbia, Vancouver Island
Tuesday, August 24, 2004
See You Soon, Mummy
We decided that we wanted to see the BC Royal Museum's Eternal Egypt Exhibit. It's only runs till the end of October, and today was a good option.
A trip to Victoria is always fun. Yet, in order to pay a visit to the provincial capital, one needs to first get over to the island. The most practical way is on a BC Ferry. We've always driven but the midweek, round-trip price for the truck and two people now adds up to $88.50.
We noticed that Pacific Coach Lines is running a special that includes a free ferry passage and reserved access to the Museum. We can get to their downtown Vancouver bus station by SkyTrain and they will later drop us off right in downtown Victoria. The cost is nearly the same but there's no need to worry about a line-up at the ferries, traffic, or parking.
We're off for a 7:45 departure and will return, on our open tickets, in the evening. I'll post a couple of pictures tomorrow.
A trip to Victoria is always fun. Yet, in order to pay a visit to the provincial capital, one needs to first get over to the island. The most practical way is on a BC Ferry. We've always driven but the midweek, round-trip price for the truck and two people now adds up to $88.50.
We noticed that Pacific Coach Lines is running a special that includes a free ferry passage and reserved access to the Museum. We can get to their downtown Vancouver bus station by SkyTrain and they will later drop us off right in downtown Victoria. The cost is nearly the same but there's no need to worry about a line-up at the ferries, traffic, or parking.
We're off for a 7:45 departure and will return, on our open tickets, in the evening. I'll post a couple of pictures tomorrow.
Labels: BC Ferries, British Columbia, places, Vancouver Island
Monday, August 23, 2004
Being Overseas Tourists
I was trying some pre-trip sightseeing tonight on the Internet. (Click the link at the end of this entry for a miniature slide show.) A week from right now, we'll be heading half way around the globe. The flights go like this: Vancouver --> Seoul --> Singapore --> Colombo, Sri Lanka.
Labels: Internet
Being Local Tourists
We ran around yesterday afternoon during the break in the weather to capture a little of the area on digital video tape as it will interest Jay's family in Sri Lanka. We went to the end of the SkyTrain line and then hopped on the SeaBus to Lonsdale Quay in North Vancouver. At first it feels embarrassing to take video of your own city until you realize that people will just assume you're a tourist.
There were four cruise ships in port. Three were docked at Canada Place and they were about to leave because most 7-day Alaskan cruises start on Sunday evenings. I'd forgotten just how enormous those babies are! Some carry over 2500 passengers plus crew. Yesterday, I took the GPS, so I can include several (WGS84 datum) waypoints:
Lonsdale Quay, North Vancouver, BC
Canada Place, Vancouver, BC
Granville SkyTrain Entrance, the Hudson Bay Co., Vancouver, BC
There were four cruise ships in port. Three were docked at Canada Place and they were about to leave because most 7-day Alaskan cruises start on Sunday evenings. I'd forgotten just how enormous those babies are! Some carry over 2500 passengers plus crew. Yesterday, I took the GPS, so I can include several (WGS84 datum) waypoints:
N49 18.577
W123 04.971
N49 17.292
W123 06.814
N49 16.979
W123 07.036
Sunday, August 22, 2004
Filling the Tub
H3 is getting a bit long in the tooth at over two years old.
He will be content to lead a quiet life during September and October. He has been the laziest hamster we've had, and will undoubtedly enjoy resting while we're away. He'll go in the bathtub with an enormous quantity of food, his wheel, and all this favourite items. Someone will be in periodically to water the plants and make sure H3 is not wanting for a thing.
The bathtub is about 20 times larger than his cage! Learn
more about H3 by searching this blog.
He will be content to lead a quiet life during September and October. He has been the laziest hamster we've had, and will undoubtedly enjoy resting while we're away. He'll go in the bathtub with an enormous quantity of food, his wheel, and all this favourite items. Someone will be in periodically to water the plants and make sure H3 is not wanting for a thing.
The bathtub is about 20 times larger than his cage! Learn
more about H3 by searching this blog.
Labels: pets
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