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

We break personal records every day that we're alive. Today, my eJournal and images sets one too. There are a hundred weeks of archives and the ability to search them if you click this banner.

Labels: file archives, Q3_2005

The weather was extremely nice during the trip to Portland. I can't believe that it's Friday already. I must spend several hours preparing the materials for this weekend's classes. More importantly, I must take time to finish correcting the midterm examinations! I think I'm suffering from a short vacation hangover.

Labels: Portland, Q3_2005

The truck's been idle for a while. Today, it will get a work out as we head back to Canada. I'll blog from home tomorrow!

Labels: Portland, Q3_2005, road trip

I'm a bit late getting in a posting today. We were out exploring before most of the city was up. Yesterday was an interesting day too. I'm glad I brought my walking shoes. Portland's streets are quite clean and surprisingly tree-covered. There appears to be quite a lot of recent development and I couldn't help make comparisons to San Francisco, Seattle, and Vancouver, BC. All are a bit quirky. Portland although small, or perhaps BECAUSE of being smaller, now beats Seattle on my opinion list.

As we've been walking around, I've been thinking about the wonders of the human mind. We sort of know that we can continue to learn information without running out of mind space. On most day-to-day activities it is of little consequence. Yet, when figuring out a new city, we don't automatically forget other cities we've learned about. Portland, OR is not replacing Istanbul, Turkey. Over time the exact names may disappear but knowledge of the 'lay of the land' remains intact. I think I've always been a bit special. Let's test: As you are reading this, do you know the compass directions? I am always aware of which way, say, the Pacific Ocean is. I've met many people who never know where they are.

Labels: Portland, Q3_2005

Things went without a hitch. We settled into a place that has wireless. So here's a picture from down by the river taken yesterday evening.

Labels: Portland, Q3_2005

We've only been there in passing. Portland, Oregon is more than 500 kilometers (300 miles) south. We have a few days off and it looks as though Jay will be working pretty much full-time during August; therefore, we're heading there today.

The weather report shows the stalled high-pressure system hanging overhead with highs on Tuesday at 33C (over 90F). Phew. I'd better pack the sunglasses and some extra sunblock.

Driving leisurely, it'll take the better part of the day just getting there. (I am positive we won't be on the road at dawn.) So, we'll stay for three nights, returning on Thursday. I'm not sure if I'll be updating the blog during the time away. Yet, you can surely check the reports upon our return to British Columbia.

Labels: Portland, Q3_2005

I can't remember exactly when I first realized that basic, image manipulation is an important skill that should be included when teaching computing. Being able to crop, cut, and adjust images will probably be increasingly important in the working lives of many.

Using the right image in a correct manner really can convey the thoughts and emotions of a thousand words.



I liked the original photo which is the view of Vancouver's West End from the Granville Bridge. Although last week's picture is stunning, it seemed easy to modify with a bit of software to add saturation and compression. Now, I feel as though this looks like an artist's rendering. If something can be done by just about anyone, is it still art?

Labels: Q3_2005, software