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

Perhaps it's the weather? Might it be a way to avoid Seasonal Affective Disorder? It does seem that we've fallen into the routine of a short getaway in the spring with a long vacation in the autumn. For example, we've already made plane and hotel reservations for an upcoming break.

We'll go to Los Angeles from May 5th to 12th. There are a fair number of inexpensive tickets from Vancouver. Most, however, stop somewhere first. Having to wait in Seattle, San Francisco, Denver, Las Vegas, or even Phoenix wouldn't be fun. Therefore, when I spotted the direct Air Canada flights on Expedia, I scooped them up. We hope the Ramada near Universal is a good hotel. At least, it's really close to the subway. We like the idea of bucking the obvious and will try to do LA without a car!


I'm standing in the warm Hawaiian waters. Was that spring
vacation really nine years ago? It seems like yesterday.

Labels: Hawaii, travel planning

Occasionally we all do things for no good reason. And here's proof that you don't have to believe 'em when they say, "Change is good."

Labels: blogging

I bought new windshield wipers a few weeks ago. As today's weather was typical for this time of year, I got a chance to use 'em. I like the sound of the new rubber against the glass.

I suppose getting pleasure from the inconsequential bits of life is important. I think I'll come up with a dozen other things that make me happy.

Sliding into newly washed bed sheets.

Having the hamster on my lap and petting it.

Solving a computer hardware or software problem.

Sitting around the living room with Jay.

Sneaking an occasional Whopper or Big Mac.

Watching a good HD prime time TV show.

Teaching a class that is exceptionally well organized.

Taking the time to go for a leisurely walk.

Planning for any vacation whether long or short.

Getting a good DVD in the mail from Zip Canada.

Noticing whenever gasoline drops below $1 / litre.

Sipping an evening glass (or two) of u-brew wine.

Labels: feelings, lists, zip.ca

I'm getting a jump on tomorrow's entry by writing this on Tuesday evening. I'm at a front console in one of BCIT's many computer labs in good ol' NE1. There are two other computer labs being used by our department tonight.

This is a new experience for me. Although I have been involved in our program's placement exams for years, it has always been done on paper. Now, we are gathering information to see if www.accuplacer.com can give our department useful information on the proper classes in which to place students.

There was quite a bit of set up involved. First, we had to get here quite early to:

log on the BCIT network

open the browers and turn off the pop-up blocker

enter the Accuplacer site with ID and password

open to the correct test introduction, and finally,

plug in the headphones and adjust the volume level.

I must say the time is now going swimmingly. I'm able to check the screens when I walk to the back of the lab. It is easy to watch as the students complete each of these sections:

Reading Comprehension

Sentence Structures

One-hour multi-paragraph writing

Listening Comprehension Section.

I expect the computerized scoring of first two sections sections will tell us much more than the grammar part of our old paper exams. it may proved to be more accurate too. Trying to correct opscan sheets with a transparancy overlay can be a bit daunting after a really hard day. We will call up the writing and print to verify the actual content but even that will probably be easier than trying to figure out the handwriting.

Overall, doing the placement tests this way seems much more in tune with the goals of BCIT.

Labels: BCIT, computer lab

I sometimes wonder how I get myself hooked on specific television programming.

Although there are several weeks of Grey's Anatomy on the hard disk of the PVR, I have already viewed the latest episode of Brothers and Sisters. I love the show because of it's soap-opera type sensibilities.



Part of my attraction, as well as for the interesting and well-written storyline, is the fact television looks so damned good in high definition. For example, it's nice to see the lines and marks on the actors' faces. I think Sally Fields looks as attractive as ever now that she's over 60. I can hardly think of anything worse than someone who keeps trying to appear as if they're twenty forever. Kudos for growing old gracefully!

Likewise, I've got to hand it to Dove soap for their newest advertising campaign. I'm so glad the bulk of baby boomers are already out there preparing the world for people my age!

Labels: television

Shooter (2007)



Long before today, I've blogged about film production occurring in BC. In fact, New Westminster itself boasts a fair share of shooting locations. Not all are blockbuster presentations but a fair share of big-budget actors do roll through town on different projects. For example, I blogged an example of my city's Front Street with Will Smith in I, Robot from the DVD.

The photo above was captured from the trailer of the upcoming release of Shooter with Mark Wahlberg. The car is flying into the Fraser River from the parking area next to the Quay. The trailer also contained a brief segment of a car flying down Sixth Street. That segment was filmed about 500 meters from where I'm typing. A photo of the filming can be seen in my Flickr collection from last August.

Labels: Fraser River, New Westminster, Quay

It was past time to write our World Vision sponsored kid today.

Dear Isuru,

Hello. We got some information for you. We know it takes a long time for mail to travel so we want to say two things: Happy Singhalese New Year, and Happy Birthday too!

It seems like a long time ago when we visited you. It was very nice to come to your home and meet you directly. The food was very nice too. We appreciated that day very much. We will remember it always.

The year of 2007 has been going well. Time seems to go very quickly now. In Canada it was been winter recently. The weather would seem very cold for you, but people here get used to it. We need to wear more clothes in the winter and keep a fire going in the home during this time of year. In the next few weeks things will warm up though. The flowers come and the trees will grow strong. How is the weather there? Is it dry or have you had rain?

You are spending your time going at school now. How is the fifth year class now? Do you have any subjects to study that you really like? How are your friends?

I am still teaching too but they are all adults. Most of them have come to Canada to live and need to learn more English. After they finish my classes they take more training at my school to learn how to do many different kinds of jobs. Many are between 19 and 30 years old. So, I guess one is never too old to learn new things.

Give our greetings to your grandmother and the people we saw in your village. We hope everybody is in good health. We also hope you are happy and continue be a good boy.

Your friends,

Labels: World Vision