A Collection of Daily Wisdom by Dennis Sylvester Hurd since September 2003.

My computer is similar to an aging automobile; in that, I can always find ways to throw good money at it. These are just feeble attempts at keeping it 'roadworthy' for a while longer.

When logging additional users onto XP, the machine seemed too laboured. I wondered if it'd be happier if I threw another gigabyte of RAM at it. I assumed the 512 megabytes that'd been inside for a year and a half might want company.

I ordered online and picked the modules up directly from the store when coming back from the office yesterday afternoon. Tripling the memory doesn't seem to have made much of a difference in speed. Yet, it's just like driving a car after a tune up; I sort of imagine that it's running better.

Labels: Hardware, Windows

Throughout life, we continually develop ways to define ourselves. The process may become more mature but it's not, perhaps, much different than when adolescents initially embark on 'finding themselves'. For many, the definition eventually involves their chosen field, while for others, the kids become their defining attribute.



I've always thought of my desire for travel as a major defining component of the me in me. It's not so much the luxury of the transportation that's important; it's the scope of kilometers travelled. Frankly, when looking back on the 46 years of my life, it's the journeys that stand prominent.

I doubt there's a single human being, when confronted with their ultimate demise, who wishes they'd spent more time working or at the office. Similarly, I'd much rather live with less but live with personal freedom, than collect material goods which could only act as a leash. I'm not one who'd enjoy whiling away the years in single spot. Movement seems mandatory and I'm thankful Jay's shared this view with me for the last 20 years.

Labels: British Columbia, opinions, travel planning

I consider myself an educated shopper. Well before purchasing any big ticket item, I do research and make a selection. I generally know the going prices and I'm absolutely positive of the maximum price I will accept. In other words, I'm not the type of person that retail salespeople like to see coming in their doors.

One common item is nearly impossible to adequately research though. Buying a new bed can be a major expenditure but it's not a cut and dry purchase experience.

First, manufacturers do not specify the exact information about the models offered. Unlike many products, there's not an easily identifiable tag with an exact model and year code. So it's next to impossible to comparison shop between stores selling the same brand. Second, although one may see an occasional, cutaway drawing, it's really hard to know what's inside a mattress. It's even more difficult to know how the materials relate to comfort or how long they will last. A twenty-second rest on the demonstration model really doesn't allow true comparison. For example, is the $800 bed really going to be that much better than a $450 one? Lastly, most stores try to hide the actual price by offering free delivery or boasting a liberal return policy. This makes it very difficult to know how much one's paying for the bed and how much of the price involves the built-in overhead and extras.

I guess all of this really doesn't matter as the card's already been swiped and delivery is scheduled for next week. The bed being replaced was cheap and is now nine years old. I will sleep better tonight just knowing a new Serta Pillowtop is on the way.

Labels: complaints, opinions

I was pleased with yesterday's photo. It looked good and I am lazy today. Therefore, I'll simply include a link from webshots.com for an additional photo I took during the same trip.

This is Enderby, British Columbia.

Just click on the little picture to open a new web browser.

Labels: British Columbia, Flickr (Page 1)

A few weeks back I mentioned planning a mid-week break. The original plans tentatively were set for this week but now, we're rescheduling till next. Six in a rented mini-van should make the trip over the winding Crowsnest Highway a lot of fun.

Labels: British Columbia

If you have an extra half hour, you should really go and explore what's being talked about in the blogsphere. It's not all political pontificating. It's not entirely about pictures of the new cat or baby. Sure there's a lot of personal stuff out there but that's exactly as it should be according to 'this girl says'.

Labels: blogging

Another 14-hour weekend has ended. I teach nineteen, hard-working students on Saturdays and Sundays. They are taking COMM 0003 as means to eventually gain the English prerequisite for entry into regular, BCIT programs. I have a lot of respect for these people many of whom work full-time and have family obligations as well.

Labels: BCIT (Page 1), students

Let's see, what makes an antique? I believe that a car has to be over 25 years old to get antique license plates.

Obsolescence in the field of computers occurs extremely quickly but the whole Internet world moves at an even greater pace than that!

By clicking the screen to the left, you'll open the very first incarnation of my personal web information. Somewhere on one page, a mailing address shows that I lived in the United Arab Emirates. It seems like frighteningly long ago that I was first introduced to HTML. Yet, the files contained here are less than ten years old in real time. In fact, if you look closely, you will note some of this original text still exists at my current eResume site. Please bear in mind I've added these files for historical and archival purposes only. The majority of the links will, of course, no longer be valid.

Labels: Dubai, Internet