Robert Bartholomew - Opinion of a Single Parent

Day Surgery: Kidney Stone Lasered

2011-10-08T15:23:00.000-07:00

About a month ago I was typing on my computer when I started to feel pain in my lower back on the left side. The pain intensified so quickly and with so much intensity that it dropped me to the floor literally crying out. I had no idea what it was, and no way to lay for the pain to alleviate any. Meanwhile, my children are freaking out, my sister calls an ambulance thinking I'm having a heart attack. The ambulance arrives and they think I'm having a muscle spasm in my back, even though I'm telling them it's not even remotely close to that.

So I get to the hospital, after 2 hours of laying there in agony I am finally seen by the Doctor on call who tells me that it's more than likely that I am passing a Kidney stone. He leaves, and an hour later a nurse comes over and asks me to pee in a cup (keep in mind I'm still in pain), so I manage my way to the bathroom to pee in the cup, get escorted back to the bed I'm in, and another hour goes by when the Doctor comes back and says, "Yes...you're passing a Kidney stone."

He gives me a few Tylenol and releases me from the hospital.

As a Military member I have to do a follow up through our MIR and make sure that all is well. Kidney stones in the Military is a big deal and you can be released from the Forces for them. So, I go and see a civvy Urinologist and he does a CAT scan. They find out that the stone never passed and is lodged in my blah-blah (can't remember the name of the tube), and I'll need surgery to remove it. Because it's too large to use the Sonic method, they will have to go up my pee-pee through my bladder and laser it out.

On Monday, I went in for the surgery. It went well, but the days that followed it were a nightmare. I was told that they had to leave a shunt in the tube to keep it from collapsing due to the swelling. Well, this shunt acted just like a stone was lodged there, so not only am I peeing blood and feeling a burning sensation, but it's like I'm passing another stone every time I go to the bathroom. Which is a feeling that is more intensified because of the surgery.

So, in a few days I have to go back into the Doc's office and have the shunt removed....I will be awake during this procedure and I'm not too happy about that fact.

So...hopefully this won't ever happen again, and for all of you that have passed a stone...I feel for ya.

-Rob

UFC BABY!!

2011-09-25T15:07:00.000-07:00

So, for the past 5 years or so I've been an avid fan of the UFC, a stalwart supporter of MMA as the new super power sporting events. I haven't missed a UFC promotion in about that amount of time either. I'm extremely loyal to my favorite fighters, win or lose, and I'm getting pretty darn knowledgeable about MMA as a fighting style as well.

I watched the recent bout with "Rampage" Jackson vs Jon "Bones" Jones and was actually screaming at the TV for Rampage to at least throw a punch rather than just stand in front of him like some kind of punching/kicking bag. Jones completely dominated Jackson and I was actually pretty disappointed with the match. The hype machine had me believing that Jackson stood a chance, and might even pull out an upset, and then you watch this decidedly one-sided match and I thought to myself, "He can't even get close to do anything, this is a massacre."

I really want so see someone that has a chance stand up and fight Jon, give him at least a small challenge...I'm hoping that Rashad Evans will be that guy...that will be an incredible fight. I never truly believed that Rampage had a chance because he's a striker, and that's pretty much the formula he followed and failed at against Jones. Evans on the other hand, is fast, intelligent, and extremely good with his hands. He has fantastic wrestling and his speed should allow him to get inside of that foot long reach advantage that Jones has over most other opponents.

Then there's the upcoming GSP vs Condit fight. I absolutely love GSP, he's my man, but this is going to be one hell of a great fight. I didn't think Nick Diaz stood a chance against GSP, but Condit is another matter entirely. He's going to take this fight to GSP like no one has before and George had best be ready for a battle. Diaz is probably my most hated fighter in all of the UFC, he has no class, no sense of sportsmanship, he seems pretty punch drunk at the best of times, and he's unprofessional. I wished that Dana had just kicked him the hell out of the UFC with his failure to show up and ultimately his removal from the GSP fight. If you ask me Diaz was terrified and knew full well he was out of his element with George. Condit on the other hand is a machine, his striking and ground game are outstanding and he, as GSP put it, is a much more dangerous opponent.

Diaz will be fighting BJ Penn (who looked amazing against Hughes) but seems to be a bit out of his game lately. I'm not sure BJ has the heart anymore to compete in the UFC, which might give Diaz an advantage.

There's also one of the most anticipated Heavyweight fights coming up with Junior Dos Santas vs Cain Velasquez. I'm taking Cain on this one, but I love JDS as well. Awesome match up, awesome fight.

So many great matches coming up, and so many great moments to anticipate.

Dana White is probably my most favorite of all of the UFC members though. I love his straight talking, no bullshit, but intelligent interviews. This guy knows the fight game, he knows what the fans want, and he gives it to us on an exciting platter. Dana is by far my favorite personality and hopefully some day I'll get a chance to meet him and say hiya. Highly doubtful though as my role as a single parent takes up most of my free time.

So...if you've never watched a UFC match...give it a go, it's exciting, dynamic, and the skill level of these athletes beats any other sport out there. No matter who your favorites are, I respect them all for the amount of time they put into this sport.

-Rob

Computer Games: Loss of Immersion/Story

2011-07-08T11:11:00.000-07:00

So, I went to EB Games and I picked up the highly anticipated title of F3AR (the third installment of the series) and quickly drove home (like any computer geek would do) to install and play it. Not too far into the game I was bored and a bit frustrated and it dawned on me that I really miss the good ole days.

Games like Wizardry, Baldurs Gate, Ultima (Series), Mission Impossible, DOOM (Series), Heretic, Zork (Series)...and a gazillion other older games that grabbed you by the junk and wouldn't let go until the game was over.

System Shock 2

You remember those games right, the ones that made you jump out of your skin, or took you on a dungeon crawling adventure, or even let you fly a spaceship and destroy your enemies. Games like System Shock 2 that would scare you so badly that you stayed up at night playing with every light on in the house, or the original Aliens vs Predator with the eere atmosphere and moments of face sucker terror, how about the original FEAR when it came out, or even the fun fantasy romp of the old D&D computer games.

I've spent hundreds of dollars on games over the past few years and almost all of them depended on flashy graphics and sound to sell the product...but the story line was just terrible, the games seemed to be just action events strung together to try and keep your mind occupied and it saddens me that very few games actually pull me in and give me that feeling of escaping into the story line.

Wizardy 8

A few notable exceptions lately are games like: Dead Space (and Sequel), The Witcher, Amnesia (Truly a throwback to the good ole days), and Mass Effect. I would love to see a major shift in the way companies build thier games, and rely more on the storyline and then fit the graphics and sounds to suit the story.

A game I would love to see (being a AD&D freak) would be a dungeon crawl into the Underdark of The Forgotten Realms world...something akin to an instance in World of Warcraft (detail, size, and depth) but for single player/Multi-player questing. Or how about a first person shooter akin to Doom 3, but on a much wider scale, with a broader storyline, and sufficient variation of enemies and objectives.

It's time to look at the history of gaming and focus on those games that truly made an impression in our lives and see what it was that they did well and emulate that. Until that time, I'm not going to be purchasing too many more games (Diablo III is the exception), until someone wow's me with the total package.

Diablo III
(I'm already drooling)

Rob

High Cost of Iphone Contracts: 3 Year Contracts Please Go Away

2011-07-06T08:29:00.000-07:00

I am a self admitted techno-geek. If there is a new product on the market that has that, "OMFG I must have it!!" factor, odds are I'll sell a kidney to try and get it.

Something that is driving me crazy, mainly because of our Canadian culture of sit back and do nothing, is the high costs and legalized theft of Rogers Communications Iphone/Smartphone contracts and data plans.

At the time I bought my Iphone 3GS, Rogers was the only company that offered a packacke deal with an unlimited data plan, that has since changed and other companies have joined in to cash in on our Canadian lack of motivation to protest.

So here is a rough example of my cost in relation to my ability to communicate with my Iphone:

Downpayment: $320/(with a 3 Year Contract)
Monthly Bill: $120 (incl: Taxes & Fees)/3 years

Note: This is the minimum package available...at the time of purchase there were only two plans available and this is the lowest cost package)

120 x 48 = 5760
                    320
                  ____
                 $6080

So for 3 years of cell phone use it will cost me roughly $6080.

Ponder that for a moment...that is a HUGE cost to keep and use a Cellphone. And don't even think about trying to bail out on your contract early...the Rogers phone Nazi's will be calling you ad nauseum threating you and your entire family (including any Goldfish) with the wrath of Debt Collector Hell if you even remotely consider cancelling it.

So for the price of a second hand vehicle...you have the option of grabbing yourself a high tech cell phone for 3 years.

Now...after talking to other folks, and after doing some research, I have decided to write my MP a long and detailed explnation of why I am frustrated with current Mobility Contracts. I also asked for an explanation of how this legalized theft can be allowed (read: Lack of Competition and Regulation). I'm not very hopeful that I'm going to receive an answer and if I do, I'm sure it will be more Political doublespeak, but I'm hopeful that I'm not the only person out there that is pissed off over this.

Well...until next time: Text me!!

Rob

Why Canada Should Legalize Marijuana

2011-05-18T14:32:00.000-07:00

We had a conversation between friends last night over a few beers, and one of my buddies showed me this write up and I thought I would share it. I completely agree with Mr. Becki's opinions here.

As well, if you haven't watched: The Union -- Marijuana Documentary from British Columbia This is a very informative show.

I think it's time people got the facts, and I also believe that the misinformation out there is actually harming what could be an answer to so many different problems that it's almost criminal in itself.

Why Canada Should Legalize Marijuana

By: Peter BeckI

I have many vices. Pot, however, is not one of them. I don’t smoke the stuff, and never have, but I don’t sit in judgment either. Recently, I started looking at what could happen to the Canadian economy if we didn’t just decriminalize marijuana, or condone medicinal uses for it, but actually allowed the free market to grow, package and sell it. What I’ve found out is pretty startling.

To begin with, most estimates say the cannabis business in British Columbia alone is worth US$24 Billion dollars a year, street value. How much is that? That’s more than the forestry exports to the US from BC in any given year, and is about two and a half times the agricultural exports for the entire country.

So, let’s start with that number: US$24 Billion a year in profits. That’s roughly CDN$34 Billion. I’m being conservative here, and forgetting the fact that if you were to legalize marijuana, Canadians would be growing it in every fallow field, window box, and basement in the country.

Now, factor in the tourist trade. Come to Toronto, or Vancouver, or Peggy’s Cove for that matter, and such back a Molson Canadian accompanied by a pre-packaged, filtered, high-quality spliff. I’ve seen estimates in the range of $90 Billion for the country if even 1% of the American population comes north to buy their stash.
$34 Billion plus $90 Billion equals $124 Billion.

Here’s another number. Canada has about 600,000 citizens who have been indicted for using marijuana for personal use, and around 30,000 arrests are made each year. According to the Auditor General’s report, this translates into $500 Million for annual enforcement of drug laws, and about $500 Million for legal fees. Tack on about $50,000 a year for each incarcerated offender, and you end up with about $1.5 Billion a year. Again, I’m guessing on the conservative side.

$124 Billion plus $1.5 Billion equals $125.5 Billion.

Here’s another one: one acre of hemp produces the same amount of cellulose fibre as 4.1 acres of trees. Trees grow back in about twenty-odd years. Hemp grows back every four months or so, and produces paper at one-quarter the cost of wood pulp (creating one-fifth of the pollution). You can also make four times more gasohol or methanol from help stalks than from corn. Hemp is actually the strongest natural fibre there is, and until the 20th century, it provided almost all the world’s paper, clothing, textiles and rope. Even if we ignore the moral, ethical, or ecological reasons for using hemp to replace pulp and paper, it just makes sense economically.
First, cut the capital expenditures in wood pulp production – about $8 Billion – by three-quarters. We just saved $6 Billion. Now, quadruple the potential volume of cellulose fibre. With about $15-20 Billion in annual exports of newsprint and wood pulp, that would be roughly (let’s be conservative and call it $15 Billion) $60 Billion. Obviously, there wouldn’t be that much demand, so let’s simply double the present number to $30 Billion, and keep in mind that our resource is now virtually unlimited. We don’t have to keep spending all that money in reforestation projects, so our parks and woodlands can be saved as an added bonus to the $90 Billion we’re making on tourism.

$125.5 Billion plus $6 Billion plus $30 Billion equals $161.5 Billion.

Is this starting to scare you? We haven’t even touched on the potential tax revenues from selling weed in nice, neat packages. The federal government gets about $5 Billion annually in revenues from tobacco. While the average Joe won’t be smoking a jack of J’s a day, a joint is probably going to cost more than a cigarette, and will certainly be taxed heavily. Let’s round it off to another $3 Billion – not including the increased sales of both tobacco and marijuana due to, again, the increased tourism. Textile export increases, new business development, job creation, medical research and exports – throw in another $4-5 Billion.

$161.5 Billion plus $5 Billion plus, let’s call it $3.5 Billion (to round things out), equals $170 Billion.

That’s $170 Billion: around 15% of the entire GDP for the country in 2001. We could give every man, woman and child in Canada five hundred dollars every year, and have about $20 Billion left for foreign aid.

And there’s more. Legalizing marijuana, growing hemp and producing its products, supporting research and development into its many uses, and cutting down pollution and deforestation to levels well below Kyoto’s meager demands would certainly reverse the brain drain to the US. It would also attract thousands of liberal-minded, well-educated professionals to Canada’s industry, education, and health care systems. This would increase production, demand, and profitability.

The US is, of course, concerned about Canada’s potential to become the Holland of North America. Their decades-old war on drugs has been too much of a backbone for popular support to let it slip away. The best threat they have come up with so far is to suggest that border crossings will be much tighter. This is not a serious economic threat, as we’ve already factored that in as of 9/11.

Over 70% of Canadians approve of the decriminalization of marijuana. That, in itself, should be motivational. Even the Canadian Medical Association has admitted that it’s ‘not addictive, occasional use not harmful, not causal with criminal behaviour, no evidence of mental damage.’

Take whatever stance you’re comfortable with on smoking the stuff yourself; I’m looking at this purely by the numbers.

Tired of Giving Second Chances

2011-05-16T11:46:00.000-07:00

So, as I've mentioned in previous blogs...I'm a very liberal parent. I'm of the opinion that you have to give your kids some slack and let them learn lessons on their own for the most part. You can offer advice until your blue in the face, but until they actually see/feel the consequences of there decisions, it doesn't sink in.

When my daughters mess up, we will sit down and we will talk it out. Depending on the severity of the breach, I may tag on a grounding for a week as well. However, they always have their say, they have the ability to talk to me about why they did what they did, and I talk to them about why I feel the way I do. Almost always do we reach an understanding and we go about our business.

Well, over the past year, I have felt that I have been giving them more and more chances to make things right. Yet, they continue to make the same bad choices in regards to a few areas.

A prime example would be skipping school. Now, I've told them that class attendance is a priority for me and that I don't want them missing school. However, I have also told them that there are times when I realize they just don't feel like going, or they are feeling very stressed out, and that it would be ok for them to take a "day off" so to speak. The problem is though, that my eldest has been missing allot of classes lately to go off and visit with her boyfriend. (She's not sexually active thank god)

I've decided that I'm not going to give a second chance (or 50th) this time as I had the principal call me and discuss with me how many classes she has missed over the last week. I've decided that I'm going to ground her for a week, that she will catch up on all her missed work, and that she is not allowed to hang out with her boyfriend for the entirety of that week.

I'm starting to think, that being too lenient lately is coming back to bite me in the ass, and that it might be time for me to make sure they know that the rules I have in place are not negotiable.

Hopefully, after this she will realize that the behavior she is showing has consequences and will stop. If not....I'm going to buy a taser. :o)

Rob

HCG Weight Loss Plan

2011-05-16T10:12:00.000-07:00

So, I've decided to start the HCG (human chorionic gonadotrophin)weight loss plan. For those of you that don't know what it's all about, here are a few links to check out.

HGC Diet INFO
HGC Diet Canada

So basically it is an injection (or drops) that helps your body burn the fat that you have stored rather than ingested fat. hCG is believed to help reset the hypothalamus by sending signals to begin breaking down and using abnormally high body fat as a primary fuel source.

There are many YouTube Vid's of people's before/after experiences and I have to say after watching some of these I'm pretty much sold on this stuff. I have a girlfriend of mine that is using it now, and she lost 17 pounds in 20 days, and felt no real side effects, no hunger pains, no lack of energy...nothing but loss of weight.

So...going to the docs on Wednesday, to get cleared to try it and then I will order and go on it. The diet is very difficult for the first 7 days, it consists of a 500 calorie/day regimen of veggies or fruit.

It also helps with depression which I believe I may be suffering slightly.

So, I will keep my blog updated with news on how it goes. I think I will actually post a video diary of my experiences with it for those who are interested.

Rob

Mothers Day (My Mom)

2011-05-08T11:54:00.000-07:00

On this Mothers Day, I had thought back to when I was a child and the difficulties that my mother had gone through.

She had married an abusive man and suffered at his hand, she became a single parent early on and had no high school education in order to find well paying jobs and so she struggled through some of the most difficult jobs that payed nothing and still managed to provide for us with a smile on her face. During those rough times she also helped care for her younger brothers and younger sister.

Because of the divorce and myself being the oldest child at the time, I became a hard kid to live with. I fought with the other two children, I ran away, and everytime something didn't go my way I threatened to run away to my fathers. Until of course she called my bluff and sent me there, and after two weeks I had enough of that and came back, haha.

My mother suffered the loss of her youngest son Billy when he was murdered by 3 Canadian soldiers in Germany. This took a toll on my mom like nothing else could have. She was devastated and yet still found the will to make sure the rest of us were comforted.

My mother is a rock, she helped me raise two of my own daughters, she kept on a brave face through the losses of her Brothers who had passed away far too soon due to heart attacks or cancer. She was the rock when her own father passed away a month ago, and made sure that everyone present at the funeral felt comforted.

She is the epitamy of what parents strive to be, loving, kind, unselfish, and always dependable.

I am proud and honored that she is my mom, that I lucked out in the game of life to have someone this special to raise and teach me the ways of the world.

I love you mom...no words can truly sum up the vastness of the love I have for you and the respect that I will always hold for you.

God Bless.

A blessing and prayer tribute to all mothers

"Blessed be all mothers
Who have come into our lives
Whose kindness, care and loving
Remain with us to guide.

Your inspiration in us
Made us strive in every way
Especially to remember
Helping others makes our day.

Mothers, this little tribute
Flows directly from my heart
You are so loved and cherished
Invaluable, one and all, you are.

By: Susan Kramer

-Rob

Repost: Winters Bath

2011-05-05T11:08:00.000-07:00

I was reading through some of my previous posts and this one cracked me up...So, I'm going to repost it.

Winters Bath

Winter needed a bath, badly. So I decided the best course of action, seeing that it has been rainy and yucky outside, was to bath her in the tub. Now the tub isn't all that small and has those jacuzzi spouts in it that sprays water out in nice comforting jets. So my wild idea was to fill the bathtub up about halfway, turn on the shower and the jacuzzi to get her drenched down enough to shampoo her.

You see, in my little reality (here after known as Seth's world), everything works as I imagine it and in my imagination this whole thing went flawlessly and quick.

Now, the one thing about Winter is that she is EXTREMELY timid (of course in Seth's Word this was not a consideration I had taken into account) and doesn't like loud noises or any type of suprise (keep this in mind for later in the story).

So, I try and coax my puppy (who is about 70 pounds and about 64cm's tall. into the bathtub...she wasn't going for it. So I picked her up and placed her in the tub. Next, I started the water, nicly warm letting it rise up to about her belly (this was mistake #1). I used a measuring cup to pour the water onto her back and head, and then using the genius given to me at birth, I hit the Jacuzzi button and jets of warm water shot out of the tub impacting my now very startled dog (mistake # 2). My normally passive animal get's into a doggy karate stance (on two legs and tries to deke me out and jump out of the tub. Well, hell, I played hockey, there is no way in hell this is going to work....WRONG!! She out deked me and jumped out of the tub, water pouring off her all over the floor, she shakes and now there is water all over the ceiling and walls (dirty water I may add) and she is now in, "Don't touch me mode".

As quick thinking as I am I dive and slam the bathroom door shut heading off an even worse catastrophe. Winter knowing now that she is cornered decides to use some of her Dog-foo on me again and rushes me. I slip and fall and smack my arm on the tub (HARD). Winter is now clawing at the door in desperation, but I recover quickly and grab her and lift her back up into the tub. I quickly turn off the jacuzzi and she seems to settle down a bit.

Then deciding that I needed more water, I turn the shower on, water sprays down and nails my puppy in the face. Puppy freaks out again, but this time knowing i'm ready for some more dog-foo or dekeing out jumps straight into my arms and knocks me back on my ass, then i slowly tip over onto my back. I now have a very very wet 70 pound scared and moderately pissed off animal on my chest shaking more water on the ceiling and the walls.

So I push the animal off me, turn the shower off, and being the stubborn trooper I am, pick up the puppy and threw her back in the water. She sits there staring daggers into my soul as I apply the shampoo and wash her fur. (Mistake #3). You see, now I have a timid, scared, pissed off, SLIPPERY dog on my hands and obviously not considering this I grab her coller and once again turn on the shower to wash the soap off. (Mistake #4).

I'm not sure what happened after that...I vaguely remember something smashing into my chest and then a blinding light. I hear voices in the distance and stinging in my eyes. I'm sure somewhere's theirs an angel ready to take me away to a far happier land..but the beotch didn't appear to help me calm down a very freaked out animal that has shampoo dripping from every hair.

Now, if any of you have ever tried to grab a slippery animal in a tiled bathroom that has a half a foot of warm bath water in it. You will agree that it is a tad difficult. So I grabbed a towel, managed to get it around the dog and lifted her up to put her back in the tub to rinse her off...not grasping the fact that the tiled floor is now very slippery with shampoo and bath water.

Again....not sure at what point I did the double back flip half gainer onto the tiled floor but I came to my senses laying on my belly, face plush to a shampooy tiled floor and a 70 pound black lab sitting on my back with absolutely no intentions of getting off of me.

At this point, I did all that a man could do in my circumstances. I grabbed a leash, and led the dog down stairs, outside and into the rain to let it do the dirty work. Not considering the fact that my semi clean animal would roll around in the mud and run through the bushes. I admitted defeat, poured myself a stiff rum and coke and trekked towards the bathroom for the hour an a half it will take to clean it up.

All of this to save myself the gargantuan fee of $30 dollars to have her washed professionally.

Winter 1 Master 0

I shall have my revenge!!!

-Rob

White House Decides Not To Share Dead Osama Photos

2011-05-05T10:43:00.000-07:00

No pics....didn't happen.

None of their excuses is good enough for me. Show me the photos or it didn't happen, simple as that.

To be honest (launching into a conspiracy theory here), I always thought that they killed him 8 years ago. They kept his death quiet so that they could maintain a presence in Afghanistan and continue their pillaging of oil stores through their newly built oil pipeline. If he was dead, it would have been harder for them to justify a presence in Afghanistan only. I mean, c'mon...they had already said that they KNEW he left and went to Pakistan and yet for 9 years they couldn't find him...seriously...does anyone at all believe a word that comes out of the White House anymore.

So....no pics...didn't happen.

Rob

Old Man Syndrome

2011-05-05T10:35:00.000-07:00

I was in great shape a year ago, I could run 5km's without an issue, I was energetic and outgoing and never really complained to much about my physical well being. Because of this I had decided that it was time that I quit smoking for good, I had originally quit for 13 years but once I hit basic training and the stress of all of that combined with my recourses due to injury I picked it up again.

So, knowing full well that my crutch when I quit smoking was to hide away from people and eat everything in sight I still wasn't able to keep the pounds off. I gained 35 pounds back, and my metabolism and energy levels are completely shot.

The difference now though is I'm 42 and my body is rebelling against me. My metabolism has slowed to a near crawl and from what I've read and been told it's due to my age not so much from anything else. But the fact that I quit smoking contributed to the rapid fall. So losing weight now is going to be an epic battle.

I go to the gym once/twice a day, and I try to stay active but the problem is now that the weight isn't coming off, because of the factors of metabolic slow down. So, I've been on a few supplements that are supposed to help me, and so far I've lost about 5 Kg's.

The hardest part of it all is trying to gain back my cardio. I'm not the running type, I don't have long legs or a sleek build. I'm 5'8" and stocky so when I run it's like a bull rampaging through a mall. I have about a month to get my Cardio up enough that I can run a LvL 5 on the Xpress test which is going to absolutely be a difficult thing to do.

After a swim, and some jogging today, I've decided that it has finally happened....I'm getting Old.

.....and I don't like it.

Rob.

Election, Death of Osama, Military Future

2011-05-03T11:07:00.000-07:00

Well it's been a pretty eventful couple of days.

The Election: The conservatives have won the Majority they were hoping for, and the NDP are now the official opposition. The Liberal party and the Bloc have been decimated, and Elizabeth May is now the first ever Green Party candidate to be elected in Canada.

- I'm very happy for the NDP as I think they will bring allot of good ideas and energy to the floor...however, with the Conservatives holding a majority the NDP have very little actual power and can only really hope that Stephen Harper will be open to their ideas and comments. He certainly doesn't have to listen to them anymore.

As for the Conservative majority; I think Canada is in for a big surprise with the direction politics are going to take. I am a Liberal at heart, but due to the corruption, poor leadership, and loss of focus, I have been voting Conservative for the past 10+ years in hopes that things would get better. This year I decided to vote for the NDP because I have seen far too many diabolically damaging decisions and ideas by Mr. Harper. I have a feeling that we as Canadians have just given license to someone that does not have the best interest of all Canadians at heart, but will pull our Country to the far right and completely alienate the West from the East. It will be an interesting 4 years that is for sure, and I do wish him the best. I would like to see him stick up for the Military and increase the budget for military pay, equipment, family support, and living allowances.

The Death of Osama: I have mixed emotions about this myself. I feel so much empathy for the families of 9/11, and those that have lost family members through terrorist activities. I also believe that Osama should be brought to justice and that his death will bring a great sense of relief and solace to many people may also be a catalyst for those opposed to the West to increase their activities and targeting the Western interests.

I don't believe for a second that killing him will make things better...sure it gives many a sense of satisfaction, but killing begets killing begets killing. I would really like to see dialogue begin with Al-Qaeda leadership if it's possible, I would like to see us helping to support infrastructure, schools, training for police/emergency workers, assistance for the impoverished, and medical support for the population. I think that the more we help, show our good natured side, and prove to the population at large that we are their to help and not just there to kill we would be doing ourselves more good than harm.

Military Future: Things are looking very bleak for the Canadian Military. We are hugely underfunded, we have outdated/antiquated equipment with very few spare parts, we have a pay structure that is barely allowing members to support their families, and we have a huge gap due to the number of members retiring or just releasing.

I think if something drastic doesn't change in the next few years, Canada will have no military left. Almost every single person I know has talked about getting out of the military or have considered trade changes, component transfers, or just going back to school. The military training system is not able to keep up with the times, their training methods are old and don't really work with todays population. Many of the instructors are jaded, overworked, underpaid, and sick and tired of being placed in impossible situations and they take out their frustrations on those that they are trying to train. Which causes a large percentage to want to get the hell out of there.

I think the system needs a huge overhaul, I believe that our budget must be increased and our equipment brought back into the 20th century. I think that Canadians must make a decision as to whether or not they want a Military, because at the rate things are going....the one we have will be too ineffective to operate at any level. This is happening right now, this isn't a future concern.

There is always hope though, and maybe Mr. Harper will now have the political muscle to get things done.

Rob

Title Change and New Focus

2011-05-03T10:32:00.000-07:00

I've decided to change the title of my blog and start to pick it up again by posting more often. I really miss writing and expressing myself. It's such a good way to rant, and blow off steam and also to get the opinions of others on topics that we face throughout life.\

I'm also going to link my blog to my facebook page so friends can comment as well. When I first started this blog I wanted it to be a bit more anonymous so that I'm not constantly afraid to post my opinions that some of my friends and family might find offensive or take issue with. However, I think everyone is entitled to their opinions and as I'm not the type to bad mouth people behind their backs, this isn't an issue I am too concerned with.

My first post in this format will be later today and will include my opinion on the Election, the Death of Osama, and the Military and where it is heading in Canada.

Anyone who feels like they would like to agree, disagree, or voice another such opinion please feel free to do so. I do ask though that you keep it civilized, no trolling, and be respectful.

Rob.

Good Bye & Good Luck Buddies

2010-08-16T16:37:00.000-07:00

Two of my dear friends are off to Gagetown to start their Combat Army Phase, they have decided to take a very difficult road, but one that will lead them to greener pastures. Something, I hope to be doing soon as well.

I would like to extend to them my best wishes and my hopes that they pass the rigors without injury.

I will be crossing my fingers and hoping that you both do well now and in the future.

Your Bud,

-Seth

The Military Soap Opera

2010-08-16T16:24:00.000-07:00

Well, I have been in the Navy now for two years, and I am still waiting for a change of trade out of MARS. Things are so hectic now as my choice has to be made soon, and there is really very little options available. The only trades open at the moment are those of the Combat Arms variety and unfortunately for me they are more suited for the young and in shape. Artillery, Armored, and Infantry are the three choices.

I am considering Artillery actually right now. The problem with going through with this trade change would be that; A) I have to do the Combat Army Phase which is akin to going back through Basic Training once again. B) I have to redo my Phase II rather than going through my Phase III training and progressing as an Officer. C) I'd have to move back to Gagetown from the lovely city of Victoria (the kids are not happy with this one). D) I will have to up my exercise regime drastically just to pass CAP....and it was on the 13 Km march that I originally broke my foot and consequently spent almost a year in Basic.

The administration is a nightmare, I am supposed to be on a Compassionate leave due to my single father status, which means that I'm currently not deployable, and therefore working a regular shift...however, as of today I was placed on the MARS III course and taken out of my Public Affairs position, which is now filled...screwing me for any future chance at obtaining a Public Affairs position.

So some of the options I'm looking at are:

1) Change of Trade (see above)

2) Resigning my Commission (out of the question - worked too damn hard to get it)

3) Voluntary Release (And either going back to my old job, or re-signing up after 6 months.)

Now that myself and the girls are set up here in Victoria and my family support is all the way back in NB...I'm treading a very thin line of going from being employed to being homeless with two children. Not to mention that there are the every day bills that one has to pay, car loans, student loans, visa payments, furniture/utility payments, food, rent, gas/oil/upkeep, insurance...etc.

I now see why so many people get so very depressed and end up doing stupid things. There just isn't enough support or flexibility out there anymore for people to try and make change, or to try and better themselves. It seems that for every positive thing a person does, there are 15 negative factors impacting them, and for all of the hurdles that you finally clear through determination, grit, and pride....15 more jump up again, each hurdle equaling a catastrophic fate.

I don't believe in luck, I believe that if you want something you work hard towards your goal, but at some point there has to be some help for people, because at this rate, hard work just isn't enough.

-Seth

SongBird - The "Almost" Only JukeBox You Will Ever Need.

2010-01-12T10:38:00.001-08:00

You know I've been messing with music since I first owned my Commodore 64, I can remember back then listening to music and trying to find the best applications to manipulate sound, or download tracks from different games. Recently though I pretty much jump from one Media player to the next trying to find something that is all inclusive, has all of the options that I'm looking for which include:

Media Management (Automatic detection of newly added tracks)

ID3 Tagging

Album Artwork finder

Skinning/Themes

Addons

Easy Metadata Manipulation

CD Burning/Ripping

There's many more things that I want in my player but that is the basic list. I loved AmoroK for Linux and used that for the most part but I found that with large music libraries it bogged down my system and would crash on me. I've tried SongBird before as well and although I was impressed with it, it really had allot of limitations.

However, I've been using SongBird now for about 4 months and now with the new update I'm completely sold, well let's say 95% sold. The only thing that it's missing in my opinion is decent CD Burning and Ripping addons or capabilities. As well I'd really like to see an automated Album Art downloader/Track Fixer. Hopefully some enterprising young programmer can come up with something that will help flesh out the very decent Album Art feature it already incorporates.

I have roughly 800 gigs of music and having to manually go through each artist/album to download the appropriate Album Art really sucks. I enjoy the look of the MediaFlow addon but with so many Albums having to use the default empty artwork placeholder, it ends up looking terrible.

Other than those small quibbles this is by far my favorite Music Management program and absolutely destroys Itunes (Songbird also has an Iphone/Ipod addon to allow for syncing) and I have yet to find anything remotely as capable. The J.River Media player is coming along but I have encountered far too many crashes and bugs with it to give it a thumbs up.

So, for all my buddies out there, if you want to use an impressive Media player, look no further than Songbird.

-Seth

One Year Update!!

2009-11-02T14:48:00.000-08:00

Ok...well I've been away for a very long time and haven't updated this thing since then. So, for my own personal information I'm going to give a short update on what I've been up to.

So in a nut shell I spent a little more time in Basic Training than I had planned. I successfully graduated from the RFT program and managed to lose 72 pounds in 4 months. I then started my IAP/BOTP course however during it my 9th week I managed to break my ankle. I was then placed in PAT platoon for a few months while I healed and then managed to break it again. Finally, I healed up and completed my BOTP and graduated. I then came to Victoria, BC to start my NETP-O course and graduated that on October 30th, 2009.

Of course it was much more indepth than that but that is the gist of how things went. I'm now waiting for my next course to start, and I'm going on vacation here shortly back to Oromocto, NB. Also my kiddies will be moving up here with me shortly, just waiting for some documents to come through and then that is taken care of.

I absolutely love Victoria and hope to make this my home for the next few years.

Ok...there's that.

Seth

Quitting Smoking

2009-11-02T14:45:00.000-08:00

Well...I'm quitting smoking, again. I've started the patch at exactly 2:45pm on Monday the 2nd of November.

I am going to update my blog here to help me track my progress and to express myself as I'm going through it. Most likely these posts will be angry, frustrated, and hateful, haha.

Onwards!!!

Seth

Recourse: St. Jean

2008-05-09T18:28:00.000-07:00

So, I decided after a week on course that I'll need to be in better shape to successfully pass this course. So, after a suggestion from my PO I've decided to go to a 90 day "Fit Camp" in St. Jean. It's an intensive PT course designed for those people that are out of shape to help get them back into shape. It includes a dietician, Trainer, and work out routines.

I'm looking forward to it, I'll start my next BOTC course in Sept.

- Rob

Goodbye for 10 Weeks

2008-04-21T03:13:00.000-07:00

I leave in 3 days and I won't have the time to update my blog before I go. I'll be busy with getting myself prepared to go.

This is the time of change for me, it will be very difficult to get through it all at my age and condition, but I'm going to give it my all.

I'm looking forward to the challenges that lie ahead of me, I'm looking forward to the changes to my character, physical shape, career, and mentality. I'm looking forward to being more than what I was in my previous careers.

So here's to 10 weeks of hell.

-Rob

10 Day Countdown

2008-04-15T06:11:00.001-07:00

Well, I'm down to 10 days before heading off to Nanaimo...and let me tell you I'm scared shitless.

It's not because I'm 39 and most of the people there will be young adults. It's not because of the goings on in Basic, kit and quarters fiasco's, humiliation, and prompting to do better. It's not because of the fact that everything will be new and you'll basically be trained like a 4 year old for 10 weeks.

No...it's because over the past month I have been going to the gym, walking, jogging, and working out...and I still cannot manage to meet my Expres Test requirements.

I just can't seem to get the required push ups, I'm finding it very difficult to get built up enough to pull them all off. I mean granted I'm not nearly in the best of shape and I've been told that they'll take care of that for me, lol, but the not being able to get these push ups done is really bothering me. The sit ups I can just barely manage, the run I can do so far, and the grip test I can do. I'm not really concerned with the step or beep test either.

I guess I'll just have to do my best and then follow whatever they set out for me to do...but man is this going to be embarrassing for me.

- Rob

Officer Cadet: New Member of the Canadian Forces

2008-04-03T08:16:00.001-07:00

At 10:00 am AST I was officially sworn in as an Officer Cadet in the Canadian Navy. It is now official and there's no turning back, haha.

I'm so very excited about starting this new chapter of my life and what it means for the future for myself and my daughters. The road will be fraught with ups and downs like any new career and I look forward to the challenge.

I'm very proud of myself today, I'm proud to be a Canadian, I'm proud to serve our Country and Queen, and I pledge to myself and those I love and cherish that I will do everything in my power to excel as a Naval Officer and protect and serve.

God Bless Canada and God Bless the Queen.

-Robert

Workout: Pain and Pleasure

2008-03-29T07:00:00.001-07:00

So, as I have been doing I've been working out a bit when I have time. I started ramping it up a bit yesterday so that I'm walking 2km's in the morning with my dog on the nature trail, then another 3km's on the treadmill. I intersperse the walking on the treadmill with some jogging and trying to make that a bit less of an issue for me.

I've also started doing my situps and pushups, I can already make the Express Test requirements, but just barely, haha. I am one of those that is truly out of shape, I lose my breath running to the bathroom, let alone 13km forced marches..hehe.

So, basically for the next month I plan on doing the following to try and get me ready for basic:

3 reps of 25 situps (extending the amount/rep as I go)
3 reps of 25 pushups (extending the amount/rep as I go)
5km's Walking/Running

Weight Training
Biking (depending on the weather)

Hopefully that will allow me to not completely collapse on my first day after our 5:10am physical training.

My legs, arms, chest, and shoulders are already protesting the exercise but it also feels great and it's a nice feeling to have a bit more energy.

So...hopefully I stay motivated and do this. It's so very hard to make yourself go through this, even though you know you absolutely have to. I've let it go way to long when I should have been working out much more effectively earlier.

Well...here we go again...workout time.

Seth

The Offer and The Dates

2008-03-28T13:42:00.001-07:00

Well, I finally got my offer to join the Military as a M.A.R.S. Officer. I accepted and will be sworn in on April 3rd. I will then be sent for my Phase I training (Basic) on April 26th and it starts the 27th.

I'm very excited about my new career choice, I'm excited about the opportunities that it presents to me and I'm excited that I'm finally excited again about something.

My previous jobs I excelled at but I always felt I was missing something in my life, some sense of accomplishment. Since I decided to join the military and I did the initial Aptitude tests, then the NOAB, and now the Offer...I have felt like I have made a huge accomplishment and it's just the beginning. I cannot wait to get my training over with so that I can get on with the actual job.

I'm looking forward to participating in a team environment and to meet those going through it with me.

I have also taken steps to offer an olive branch to my ex by agreeing to let the girls spend two months with her in Thunderbay, Ont. I think it would be great for the girls to finally get to visit their mom, and I trust that she is now in a state in which she can look after them as well.

This is really turning out to be a great year.

Reign O'er Me

2008-03-26T21:49:00.001-07:00

I watched a movie tonight that I've never seen before, called Reign Over Me...and after the movie ended I felt terribly sad for the characters and for things that I had yet to deal with in my life too.

It took only a movie of such profound pain of the heart to make me fall and feel that pain anew for the umpteenth time. I can't count the number of times I've watched a movie or a tv program (Oprah) and just lost my cool and had tears in my eyes because something reminded me about issues that I haven't dealt with. I think everyone goes through these things too, that there are things in our lives that we regret and that we haven't worked through so we bury them deeply and forget about the...that is until something reminds us.

I'm 39 years old now, going on 40 this year...and for the past 17 years there have been many things that I have regretted and buried in my memories...so sometimes these things come out and they aren't fun to deal with.

I've decided that it's important for me to go and speak with someone about my feelings, and to try and deal with the pain of some of these memories.

I miss my brother...and I can't even write this without tears welling up in my eyes, I miss my ex and how she use to make me smile, despite the fact that life threw us a loop and things didn't work out, I miss her and what might have been and how our two little girls would have been raised with us still together.

I'm weak tonight because this movie affected me more than I thought one could...I thought I would take the time and type this up because my blog is my personal journey, and as unfortunate as it may be that I have to relate the sad part of my life here, well that's why I started this blog, to follow the journey, to follow my thoughts....I will have to continue to travel down this path until I have resolved my feelings towards the loss of my brother and the loss of my ex. Both have affected me with feelings of guilt and sorrow that it's very hard to deal with. But I have plodded on, I have done what I needed to bring up my two little girls...but by repressing those emotions, I think I have done myself a disservice and by doing so, I have done my daughters a disservice.

So...to Billy... I miss you buddy and I'm sorry for the ass I was as a brother to you...I'm sorry for all the bad things I've ever said to you, and I'm sorry for not being there when you needed me. I'll never forgive myself for not saving you.

To Julie...I'm sorry I wasn't the man that could help you become the person you needed to be, I'm sorry I couldn't fix the problems that we had or strong enough to find a way to make your life a happily ever after.

To myself: I forgive you.

- Robert

Reign O'er Me: The Who (remake: Pearl Jam)

"Only love Can make it rain
The way the beach is kissed by the sea
Only love Can make it rain
Like the sweat of lovers
Laying in the fields.

Love, Reign o'er me
Love, Reign o'er me, rain on me

Only love
Can bring the rain
That makes you yearn to the sky
Only love
Can bring the rain
That falls like tears from on high

Love Reign O'er me

On the dry and dusty road
The nights we spend apart alone
I need to get back home to cool cool rain
I can't sleep and I lay and I think
The night is hot and black as ink
Oh God, I need a drink of cool cool rain"

Time to Fire the School Board

2008-03-12T13:52:00.001-07:00

I remember back when I was in school my favorite classes were Music, Science, and Math. I can remember being a hard to handle young lad more interested in socializing than learning about the days lessons. I was one of those kids that was intelligent but lacked the motivation to learn and would much rather play hooky than actually attend lectures. However, in my day if I didn't show up it wasn't just detention; I would receive a strap on the hand or stay after school and write on the board.

Times have definitely changed, and for the most part as far as discipline is concerned for the better. But as far as the teaching/learning environment I'd have to say that the school in our area, and from what I've heard it is endemic of the entire Canadian school system, they are certainly lacking.

My eldest daughter is in grade 8 now, she can hardly spell, her mental math is atrocious, she's reading at two levels below her grade. She has absolutely no interest in going to school at all, she doesn't like her teachers, she finds it very difficult to concentrate (she has ADHD) and she really just doesn't care. As a parent, I'm in touch with the teachers and principle about her situation and I'm working with her nightly to try and keep her caught up.

Well, I'm shell shocked now. When we are at home doing her work, she seems to pick things up rather efficiently. She can write and read well enough from what I can tell (reading novels that I do) and her math seems to be ok as well. Her mental math does need work though (times table memorization) but all in all nothing as drastic as what I've been told. I am rapidly finding that if I teach her something at home, it tends to stick, if I test her here at home she does very well, if I ask her to reason out a problem I've given her she does very well at that. I'm starting to think that this isn't so much her problem as the way she is being taught. I decided to speak with a friend of mine that home schools her children and it just floored me. Her children are 3 grades above where they should be if they were in a public school. This boggled my mind so I went and spoke to some other parents that home school their children and I found out that their children are also way ahead of the learning curve. So what the heck is up with our public school system? Why are our children falling behind like this and where is the school board in all of this...don't they measure these things to be sure that our children are actually learning in the schools?

My main concern is what the heck are they doing in class to teach these kids? I mean she is coming home now with up to 2 - 3 hours of homework. They have almost no extra curricular activities, her music and computer classes are abysmal, and there doesn't seem to be too much emphasis on arts.

As a single parent I just cannot afford that kind of a time commitment to home school my children, even though I know that she would learn much better in that situation. There are 30+ students in one class and I can't imagine how hard that is on the Teachers. Oh, and let me be blunt here, I am not in anyway blaming our Teachers for this problem. I think that for the most part they are all very overworked and underpaid, but the buck has to stop somewhere and unfortunately, they are the ones at the front lines. Someone has to step up and take responsibility for the education of our children. The parents have a huge role as well, but our ability to affect change is very limited, our ability to involve ourselves is also limited due to many considerations (jobs, responsibilities, bills..etc).

I honestly think it's time parents banded together and fired those on our School boards to send a message that it's time to wake up and look at the education that our children are getting. These children are our future, and it would be a pretty sad future if our next Prime Minister can't read.

Day 7: NOAB - Goodbyes and Flights

2008-03-10T10:34:00.001-07:00

Although we didn't have near as much time to meet everyone and to get to know those that were there, we did meet most and a better bunch of people I couldn't have dreamed to have met. There were so many different backgrounds, people from all over the country, and all of us bonded by a unique experience and the success of a very stressful event. We swapped emails and facebook information and chatted and talked as much as we could before everyone left.

We were the last to board our flights and all went well on the way back until we reached Halifax. There was a huge snowstorm in Fredericton and the runway was a mess, so they cancelled our flight and the next wasn't available for two days. So we all gathered up and rented a car to go back to Fredericton. We ended up losing one of our party as we were rushing to the rental agency and we eventually had to leave without him. I felt terrible about that, but after looking for him and trying to find him we had no time left.

I arrived home and hugged my girls and told them all about the experience. Before I knew it I was fast asleep fully dressed on my bed.

This experience was full of all sorts of emotions, events, excitement, and stress. I would do it all again in a second.

Day 5 - 6 : NOAB - MOST (Maritime Officer Selection Test)

2008-03-10T10:29:00.001-07:00

Well the time had finally arrived for us to do our MOST. Let me tell you that this was the most dreaded moment for all of us. Most of the group that had been there before us had already done it and so we heard the horror stories and blank faces of those that had come out of it.

We were actually lucky because as we arrived to do the test we were informed that our small group didn't have to write them until the next day. So it left that day pretty much open to us to rest and go through the meet and greets in the Gun room. Of course it was just delaying the inevitable, hehe.

Day 6:

7am: Our Turn for the MOST test. We are nervous as hell as the instructions for the exam are being read aloud to us and we all look as if we are about to run out of the room, haha.

Obviously, I can't talk about what was in the test at all but I will say this...it can't be studied for. It's not something that you can review for. All that you could do is practice some mental math and get a good nights sleep.

We finished the MOST exam and we walked to the gun room. As we arrived at the Gun Room the rest of the group was milling about, this was the end of the testings, interviews, and selection. The groups were being called up to be told whether or not they were to be given an offer or not. This was by far the most stressful period of the entire thing for us. We all felt very rushed and unprepared for everything that we were put through.

When our time came we were taken upstairs and we waited with others for our fate. When my turn arrived, I took a deep breath, straightened my back and walked into the room.

I was asked if I was sure that the Navy was where I wanted to spend my career. I responded, "Yes Sir...very much so." The officer looked at me dead pan, then smiled, and said, "Then congratulations son, you made it." He handed me a paper with some instructions on it and they all took turns shaking my hand.

I had tears in my eyes and I walked out absolutely stunned that I had made the selection. The group gathered around and congratulated me, shook my hand, and pats on the back. The stress, anxiety, tension, and worry faded away as it slowly dawned on me that I had succeeded. My entire group passed the selection and we were just ecstatic about it.

We waited to speak with the recruitment officer to find out when our Basic would start, and other information. Once that was completed we joined the rest of the group downstairs and were congratulated and gave congrats to those that passed. There were several that did not pass and I made sure to take the time to go over and speak with those that were there.

Once we had a few drinks and swapped stories with the officers and NCM's we went for lunch and then were told we were going to be given a tour of the HCMS Ottawa. I was extremely excited to get to go aboard and see the guts of the ship. It was an incredible experience.

The rest of the day was spent packing: Oh yes, we had finally received our clothes late the previous evening.

This was a day I will never forget.

Day 4: NOAB - Flight Out Nightmare Part II

2008-03-10T10:14:00.001-07:00

We received a call from our liaison stating that we would be catching a flight to out at 6am on our Day 4. I'm already packed so and ready to go so the excitement starts to build.

I wake up at 4am and get to the airport for 5:15am. I had the tickets for us so I met my group at the airport, gave them their itineraries and off we went to catch our flight.

The weather was bad again and our flight was delayed due to the de-icing of the plane. So when we arrived in Montreal our connection was boarding. Just a quick note on our landing in Montreal: We hit an air pocket and dropped about 20 feet, which scared the hell out of us, and then as we approached the runway we were caught in a crosswind and the plane was heaving left and right, our landing was very hard and scary as hell. When we got into the terminal we were informed that we were going to miss this flight due to baggage issues and late arrival and that the next flight out was at 17:30 that night. So, we had roughly 9-10 hours to kill in the busy airport. So, we killed off time by taking a taxi into Dorval to eat breakfast and possibly find something to do. The taxi cost for a 4 minute ride was 15 bucks and that kind of set the trend for the cost of everything else. We ended back at the airport and decided to sit down and relax and have a beer. Cost: 10.99 each. So, that idea was thrown out the window, and we just ended up lounging around the airport waiting for our flight.

Tired and cranky we boarded our flight to Vancouver and off we went. The flight was roughly 5 hours long and uneventful, then from there we took a quick puddle jump to Victoria where we were quick to find out that our luggage had been lost. We were given lost baggage tags and went on our way to the WP Venture barracks where we finally were able to get into our rooms and shower. There was no point sleeping as we arrived at roughly 3:30am and we had to be up for our breakfast for 6:30am.

After breakfast we were scheduled to do our Interviews with the Board Members. So we waited as groups as we were ushered into a room with high ranking Naval Officers. The interview lasted for about 15 minutes or so as they threw some questions at us and observed us answering. At this point, I just want to express my complete and utter respect for these men and the jobs they have to do. They were extremely friendly, gave us all a chance to ask questions, and even joked with us about our nightmare flight down.

The interview shook me a bit because I was so tired and I wasn't sure that my answers were being given clear enough. Shortly after the interviews were over we gathered for some tours. We toured the Naval Clearance Divers area and listened to a quick brief by the CO (who was one of the toughest men I've ever seen in my life) and how much he enjoys "blowing shit up" hehe. I was extremely impressed by the actual jobs that they do and by how well regarded they are in the world for their training and expertise. We saw some of the equipment that they used, the ships they used, and even some stories on what it was they did.

Afterwards we visited the Damage Control training center, where we were given another brief and then shown through some of the actual training rooms. This was just so cool it was hard to explain. The fire training rooms were awesome, and we were placed in one and then they lit it up. We then saw the flood training room, the bio/chem/nuclear training equipment and rooms, and then for the icing on the cake we watched a mock up helicopter on fire....soooo impressive.

Then it was back to the barracks for supper and a night out with the group. It was a very exhilarating day for us.

Oh...and still no baggage. So going on a 2nd day in the same clothes.

Day 2-3: NOAB

2008-03-10T09:57:00.001-07:00

These days were spent waiting for a call and information as to what would be happening with us. We had heard that we would go on the next NOAB and then a few hours later that they are still trying to get a flight out for us. Meanwhile, the rest of the candidates were already there and enjoying the tours, meals, and getting to know each other.

I'm a bit deflated by the fact that we are missing out on that camaraderie because these are the folks that we will most likely be going through the ranks with.

So, until more information comes our way....waiting.

Day 1 - Flight Out Nightmare (NOAB)

2008-03-03T05:26:00.001-08:00

Well, my excitement quickly came to and end on Saturday when I was waiting for my flight out of Fredericton to Toronto to begin my Naval Officer Assessment Board adventure.

As luck would have it Fredericton was hit by a very nasty snow storm and the flight was cancelled. I just shook my head and repeated, "Figures!".

Once I heard the announcement I filed out with the rest of the travellers and decided to have the other 3 candidates paged so that we could, as a group, decide our best next course of action. I took down everyone's contact information for the exception of one lady that had already left and contacted our liaison in BC. We never heard back from anyone about the cancelled flight, or to just relay that they were aware of the situation until 10pm the next evening. Something I thought was a tab bit odd, however it was on a weekend and not too many people check their voice messages or work emails on a weekend in the Military. It was a relief to finally hear from our liaison and to know the situation was being worked on.

I took the initiative to call our flight agent and have them find us the next possible itinerary to get us to Victoria before the third day, that was worked out and I sent an email to our contact point here more or less to give them a frame of reference of what was available at the time.

I found out today (2 days later) that for the 4 of us things will probably be delayed and we will be rescheduled to attend the next NOAB. They weren't sure when this would be but he stated it would most likely be a few months at the very least, which certainly puts some difficult decisions in my way.

I'm currently in a holding pattern now waiting for the final decision.

In a small way I'm glad that this happened as it will give me more time to get into better physical shape as well as review some of my Math/English skills for the MOST (Maritime Officer Selection Test) as well as prepare more for the eventuality of my actually passing. This all happened very quickly in my case as I was only notified a week before my orders to attend the NOAB were issued. I hadn't even realized there was another Aptitude type test required, as well as several interviews and presentations.

Although, I'm very confident now that I'm a decent candidate after doing a bit more research, I'm still anxious about the whole process.

Until we find out what is going.... (To be Continued....)

-Seth

Ubuntu Gutsy Gibbon and ATI Drivers

2008-02-28T08:25:00.001-08:00

My love affair with Ubuntu Linux is just growing stronger and stronger. In fact, I've found myself preaching to my neighbours, my friends, my family of cousins, aunts and uncles, nephews, pretty much anyone who will give me a moment to listen or shows interest. Hell, when I was going through my Officer Interview with the Recruitment Officer we spent a good 15 minutes just talking about the benefits of Linux vs Vista. The more I use it, the more I love it, and the more I learn about it.

However, having said that I have finally come face to face with an issue that I just can't seem to resolve and it is really pissing me off to no end that I can't fix it. This is not even Ubuntu's fault it's ATI's and there extreme lack of open source driver support.

Before I upgraded to Gutsy (7.10) I was using Feisty Fawn (7.04) and couldn't be happier. I had 3d accelerated graphics, I had my cube all done up with a cool desktop look (see previous Ubuntu blog for pics), I had Avant-Window-Navigator working like a charm and all was well in the world of me. Then I upgraded to Gutsy and I was extremely excited about it, all of the new features, fixes, and look. However, I come to find out that my ATI Mobility 9100 card is no longer in the Restricted Drivers list, in fact there are no drivers other than the default standard drivers which do not allow me to have 3d graphics acceleration.

So off i go on my search to make it all right. I hit the Ubuntu forums with a gusto, I find a bajillion posts about ATI drivers and the problems people are having. ATI even released a brand new proprietary driver for Linux support for certain cards (of course mine isn't one of them) and some folks are having success.

So I follow a bunch of How-to's, I install the new drivers, then I install the old Open-Source drivers, then I try Envy and try both Auto and Manual installs, then I try reconfiguring my xorg.conf file by myself with some help from the forums.

Nothing worked. No cube, no AWN, nothing. I have my desktop set up the way I want it, I have all of my applications set up and installed, everything is fine, but I can't use my graphics card and I'm super frustrated; here is what my Desktop looks like currently, and I'd like to keep it but add the Compiz-Fusion effects as well:

Anyways...I finally managed to fix it. The fault was actually my own, I had not installed the Beryl Manager and therefore could not run the Desktop effects I wanted. How stupid do I feel now, lol. So in the end the fault wasn't Linux or ATI it was my own, just like everyone out there who sometimes just need to rethink the problem through and don't, lol.

For those of you that would like to try Ubuntu here are some links that are invaluable, and I honestly believe once you give it a shot, you'll ask yourself why you haven't switched earlier.

To install and download: Ubuntu live CD -Ubuntu
For information on installation and apps: Gutsy Gibbon Info
For some great applications: GetDeb
For some sweet and advanced desktop stuff: Fluxbox
And for everyday desktop customization: Gnome Look

--- Seth

P.s. Ubuntu Forms is the best and quickest way to find help if you need it, the community there is unbelievably helpful and quick to answer.

Naval Officer Board Assessment

2008-02-24T10:21:00.001-08:00

Well the time has come and on March 1st I am flying to Nanaimo, BC for my Naval Officer Board Assessment. I'm both thrilled and terrified at the prospect of what is to come. I'm thrilled because it means a change for me, a change for the better, the possibility of belonging to something noble and proud, the possibility of working towards the greater good and to work for something that has meaning and impact. I'm looking forward to the training, the challenge, and the knowledge that this decision will provide me. I've gone too long working for nothing other than a paycheck, I feel that my efforts have done nothing but made the "man" richer and myself more jaded.

The downside is that I'm fearful of being rejected based on being out of shape, older than most applicants, or a zillion other things. I know deep down in my heart and soul that I would make an excellent officer, leader, and member of our Canadian Forces, I am just worried that some of my cons like age, weight, and knowledge (different career path than my chosen military one) may play a part in giving me a negative appearance to the board.

Then again, I also realize that they have been doing this for many years and that they are intelligent and capable. So if they do judge me unsuited, than that may be a wake up call for me to go in a different direction. I can handle failure, I just can't handle rejection based on things that I can change.

The scariest part for me is not knowing what to expect from this trip. I've always prided myself on being prepared and organized. A challenge for me will be to spontaneously challenged and then to meet that challenge appropriately. I've always been able to adapt quickly, think on my feet, and to come up with a game plan but the fact that this meeting is so very important to me and my future places a bit more stress on my mind wondering what will happen.

I have always faced my fears, I have always adapted and overcome, and I will face this challenge as I do everything else, but that still doesn't help the nerves before hand, hehe.

I'm so excited about the changes ahead of me. My girls are excited for me as well and they know that their lives will change drastically as well. I'm looking forward to getting back into shape, learning a new trade and career, and most of all becoming part of a large, tight knit community. I remember well my days as an Army brat living on bases and moving every three years due to postings. That was the single largest factor for me becoming the person I am, outgoing, confident, and wise. I wish the same for my children.

So, even though I'm as nervous as I ever have been, I'm also very excited and very honored to have this chance. I will prove myself worthy and I will prove myself to be the type of leader that they are looking for in an Officer. I understand the responsibilities and am willing to face those challenges. Most of all, I want to serve my Country and protect those that can't protect themselves. The Canadian Military has always been there to fight for the weak, to help those in need with support, to help our allies fight for a safer world. I couldn't be more proud of the involvement of our Military and the Political will to change the world for the better or to at least offer the support to do so. I want to be a part of that, to know that my life and effort went towards something that makes a difference and that means something. The last 10 years of my life I've worked so very hard at building a career that only benefited my employers and really gave me no sense of accomplishment. I hope those days are at an end.

-- Robert

Where's our Canadian Ron Paul?

2008-01-22T06:16:00.001-08:00

I'm a Canadian, and I'm extremely patriotic and loyal to my Country and the Canadian people but I have to tell you the most exciting person that I have seen in the past year is an American, and his name is Ron Paul.

As a Canadian I take a very serious look at world politics, the economy, warfare, environment, and injustice. I have been watching the American debates on TV between both the Republicans and the Democrats and I have come to the conclusion that the only one of these candidates that has any real new ideas, vision, and drive is Ron Paul.

This guy has me excited about American Politics and I'm a Canadian. His world vision and ideas are staggeringly simple and straight forward. He is a libertarian running on the Republican ticket and he is a strict constitutionalist. Now, even though from my Canadian perspective I do not agree with some of what I know of the constitution of the USA (the right to carry firearms for one), I respect his stand and drive to keep the US on a path of non-interventionism, his ideas on the free-market, his vision for boosting the economy, and his thoughts on freedoms and rights.

I've listened to Mike Huckabee, Mitt Romney, John McCain, and Rudolph Giuliani, and I have to say that they are no different than the present leader and they have no clear understanding of just how deep a hole the US is in economically and morally. On the other side, you have Hillary Clinton, Barack Obama, John Edwards, and Chris Dodd who are all so enmeshed into the current political structure that even if they do win they will not have the ability to pull the States out of the problems they are currently facing. I do have to say that I like Bill Richardson, Joe Biden, and Dennis Kucinich on the Dems side because they do have the ability, if elected, to push aside the lobbyists and make changes...I just don't believe that they will change enough to create a stable economy or even change the foreign policy to start winning back their Allies.

No, Ron Paul is clearly the only voice that is speaking out in terms of saving the US from itself. He's the only one that is really giving the American people straight talk and telling them how it is, where they stand, how the rest of the world views the US, and how much they are losing globally in respect and standing. He has a clear view of how to solve the problems and has the strength of views to back them up. What more could you possibly ask your leader for: A clear and decisive view and belief on how to run the Country. No...Flip-flopping. The great part about all of this is that his record backs him up. I defy anyone to show the same for any of the other candidates. ANY of them.

Consistently he is targeted by the other candidates and bullied or left out of debates. Fox news (the joke that they are) had the audacity to not even allow him to attend a debate they held...I mean where in the world do they get off telling the American people whose views they can and cannot listen to, and the American people just sat back and allowed it to happen. This is a perfect example of how far the loss of freedoms have been taken in the US. It also strikes me as relevant that the only real time he's been given to answer questions and support his platform were with PBS or Town hall meetings that were televised. He is proving that the only really free media anymore is that of the internet, and really, how much longer until the US starts to censor and filter that content for its people.

So, why can't we have a Ron Paul in Canada. Why can't we have someone that will stand up and shake the very foundations of our thoughts and make us look outside of the box. Why can't we find someone like Ron Paul that will give our youth hope, vision of the future, and leadership? Our current administration isn't doing too poorly of a job, but let's be realistic how much longer will they be the Gov't as a minority such as it is. Piss off the liberals and a vote will be called.

I envy the Americans at this point for having such a man like Ron Paul that has excited, not only the young Americans, but youth everywhere in the world. I have spoke to friends of mine in Australia, Germany, England, and Sweden that feel the same as I do. Where are our Ron Pauls, where are our vocal leaders that wish to change the status quo and have the trust to be honest with us and let us see where the real issues lie.

- Robert

Politics and the Canadian Economy

2008-01-17T19:01:00.001-08:00

First a few facts:

America is our most important trading partner:

*30% of our Gross Domestic Product and 70% of our Exports are traded to the U.S.
Much of our investment capital and our foreign investment has come from the U.S.
Canada is the largest exporter to the U.S.
Canada is the largest source for Natural Resources to the U.S. (Including Power and Fresh Water)
Canada is the U.S.'s largest importer.

So we are pretty darn closely tied economically.

The question that many are starting to ask is: Is this a wise thing considering the downfall of the American currency and economy?

My position on this is no, it is not a wise thing for Canada to continue. We need to start branching out more to other countries such as South America (Brazil, Argentina, Cuba, Peru..etc). We need to start trading with Europe, and parts of Asia much more than we are currently doing. One of the most important things that the Canadian Government should be doing is helping, assisting, subsidizing, and even legislating the diversity of trade.

Even those without much financial background can see that the American hegemony is quickly crashing and in the next 5-10 years the Euro will be the world currency and not the dollar. The fact is that when this happens...and it WILL happen...the U.S. is going to face the largest economic collapse in their history.

Their current administration is in no way prepared to deal with the fallout of this, or have any present/future plans to correct this other than threating those who are considering the move to the Euro with invasion (ie: Iran).

Now where will this leave Canada and is it avoidable? I believe it is. I believe that it is time for our exports to start changing course to other countries willing to trade with us. It's time for us to start separating our economy and becoming more independent. Currently we have one of the largest natural resource exports of any country on the planet, we have technology advances that are in the top 5 of the industrialized countries, we have the ability to truly become independent of the U.S. and I strongly believe this is the time to do so. Before it's too late, and the economy crashes in the U.S and ours follows suit.

I would also like to see our Canadian gov't put their money where their mouth is and start supporting alternate fuels and technologies. If any country can do this it's ours. We are the type of people that would jump on board a program like this and accept the changes fairly easily. Most of us are grinding our teeth to have the ability to start purchasing eco-friendly technology. The fact is that because the U.S. has a strong focus away from any type of conservation, our current Government has no real backbone to go another way.

I'm writing this after a conversation with a few friends about this topic, and because we all agree so vehemently about his subject, I wanted to keep it fresh in my mind. We've generally have had a very strong government that is not afraid to go our own way, but currently it seems that GB has us in his pocket, and as much as I respect the Harper gov't for our current economy successes, I'm dismayed at the way he has caved to pressure to make decisions that are so disagreeable with the majority of Canadians.

Hopefully, our vote will get his attention soon.

-Robert

* http://www.thecanadianencyclopedia.com/index.cfm?PgNm=TCE&Params=A1ARTA0001258

Officer Training

2008-01-17T03:17:00.001-08:00

I completed my final interview for Officer training yesterday. It went very well and I am going to be receiving the go ahead. I have selected the Navy, MARS Officer, which is Maritime Surface and Subsurface Officer...meaning I'll be a sea going Officer. Originally I had intended to go into the Air Force but that trade was closed to me, and this was my second choice.

Sometime in February or March I will go up in front of the Naval Officers Board for an interview and selection. At that time I will need to pass selection and hopefully be given the opportunity to advance into the training. If not, I will be considered as an Artillery officer.

The challenge that lies ahead for me now is to get back into shape and to begin training. I plan on starting an easy schedule of walking/running, pushups, situps, weight training, and some aerobics to do so. I'll start out slow and work my way up so I don't end up hurting myself.

I'm also considering not taking the new job I'm supposed to start with on Friday. I'm not sure if I want to start driving to Saint John every morning. 1.5 hours is quite the travel time there and back.

We will see what happens today though and I'll make my decision.

-Robert

Pictures of the Girls.

2008-01-14T12:40:00.000-08:00

Officer Training, Kids, and Emotions

2008-01-14T07:41:00.001-08:00

I recevied some good news last week in that after going in for my initial interview for the Air force as an ACIS specialist as a non-commissioned member of our Canadian Forces, that due to my very high aptitude score and my educational background the Captain wanted me to apply to the Airfield Engineering branch as an Officer.

The meeting actually consisted of me walking into the office, the Captain telling me that they were going to postpone my interview based on his opinion that I would be much better off going that route that the one I had chosen. Originally when I went in this is exactly what I was looking to do, but I was told that due to my age, and the fact that i don't have a completed University degree that I would have to go as a non-commissioned member (which I have no problems doing really).

I have decided to take this opportunity and on the 16th of Jan/08, I go for an Officer Interview which of course is much tougher than what I was in for before. So I will be doing quite a bit of study over the next two days. I will most likely ship out in February.

The girls seem to have calmed down now with the arguing and scrapping, I'm glad I was getting frustrated with the name calling and snarkiness. School is back in and they are back into the normal rhythm of things. Jecynda is starting to concern me because she is showing some signs of emotional distress from my break-up from my girlfriend. She is being more clutch towards our pets, she asks more questions about her mother now, she asks me when I'll date again and find her a mom, and she seems to be a bit more emotional about relationships in general. I've tried to talk to her about it, but there isn't really much I can do. I'm in emotional shape to take on another relationship and I really don't want to have that sort of headache at this point anyways.

I've been beyond stressed for this last few months due to money worries (being laid off sucks big time), also the situation with Jecynda, the fact that in a month or so I'll be leaving them for about 13 weeks, normal life concerns like bills, food, rent, dating, and such. I didn't realize how stressed I've actually been lately but it seems things for me are starting to build up. I've decided to start taking walks with Winter and trying to piece things out in my head. Although, allot of things are coming together now for me, there are still things that I have to deal with on an emotional level as well as an intellectual level.

This new career of mine means that I have to go back to University and finish off my degree, it means getting back into shape (roughly a loss of 30 pounds), it means moving and making new friends for both myself and the girls, and it means allot of new changes in lifestyle. This is allot for us all to have to deal with in a short time, but something that is necessary.

I hope I have the strength to pull this all off. I feel like this is my last chance to make things right in our lives.

-Rob

Good News Keeps Rolling On In

2008-01-05T18:45:00.001-08:00

Well it turns out that my car is fine after all and no immediate major repairs needed. Apparently, the vacuum hose came unattached and that was the problem. Two seconds of reconnection effort and the car was humming along again. Of course, now I have to go and get insurance put back on it. This is great news though, because alot of problems would be imminent if I didn't have the car.

My Military interview will be booked on Monday, and I'm looking forward to getting that over with. It will be the last part of the entry process and then goes for review to Ottawa.

The fun of getting the kids back into the rhythm of getting to bed on time and getting up in the morning. School is almost here, woohooo.

Ok, that catches me up for now.

Out with the Bad In with the Good

2008-01-03T10:12:00.001-08:00

So far so good this year, things seem to be picking up. After several months of trying I have finally received my High School transcripts from Lahr, W. Germany where I was lucky enough to have gone to school. I have been sent to so many different agencies and government departments that I thought I'd never see them again. Also, even though my Military application is being reviewed I have received another job offer in St. John beginning on the 21st which is a nice back up in case I don't start my basic anytime soon.

Things are starting to look up, now if I could a little luck with my car getting fixed things would be lovely, hehe. I think the head gasket is gone in it, there is water coming out of the exhaust and if that's the case it will cost me roughly $1000 to fix it. That's approximately $999 more than I have at the moment, haha. I have to get it fixed somehow so I'm burning all my brain power to try and find a way.

The girls have been scrapping a bit more than usual lately and I decided to sit the two of them down to have a chat about why that may be. I received allot of answers from them but nothing substantial and asked them if this had anything to do with the possibility of me leaving shortly to Basic Training, of course they say no, but I reassured them anyways that I would call every night that I could, and I would visit every chance I had. I think they are both suffering from abandonment syndrome a bit, many people that they were fond of no longer are in touch with them, not just their mother but friends that were posted away or moved. I think it may scare them a bit that I'm leaving for awhile. So, I plan on doing all I can to make sure they know that I'm always available and am not going anywheres for good.

My New Years was alot of fun and I will post some pic's asap. Also, I've been told by some of my blogging friends that they can't leave comments at the moment, so it may be a setting that I have configured, however, some can leave them...so we'll see if I can fix that as well.

Rob

Holiday Season, Friends, and Resolutions

2007-12-26T09:25:00.001-08:00

Well, like wild fire Christmas blazed on past. It's now boxing day and all of the build up ended in a present opening climax. I was actually pretty surprised that I received a gift this year that I actually wanted, haha. I received a combo printer/scanner/photocopier from my parents and my kids. I was floored when I opened it as this was to be a pretty slim Xmas.

My girls loved their gifts and are still going crazy over what Santa brought them: Ipod and Phone Camera (Santa must be a Techy). They are presently outsided sliding in the snow on the new sleds that I bought them.

All and all this turned out to be a wonderful time, we spend time with friends and family and we had a great time of it.

On behalf of my family to everyone out there in blog land, Merry Christmas and Happy New Years. For those of you non-Xmas folks, Happy Holidays.

I'm hoping the next year brings more smiles than misery though.

Rob

World of Warcraft: The Game you Love to Hate

2007-12-18T10:35:00.001-08:00

Like 9.3 million of us around the world I'm one of those that enjoys playing World of Warcraft as my choice of entertainment. I don't watch tv much anymore, I prefer a more interactive form of entertainment.

I have made many friends in-game, and I have had quite a bit of fun as well. However, recently things have started to get stale for me as far as the game goes. The imbalances with certain classes, the fact that 95% of the player base will never be able to experience most of the Raid content, constant changes to class balance, gameplay, and items, and the lack of any real customer support have turned me off of the game.

If you read the forums it is one big morass of unhappy gamers and it doesn't seem that Blizzard really cares. Many of their fixes are poorly thought out, poorly implemented, and pretty much a waste of everyones time and energy. A good example of this is the afk solution, putting the onus on reporting of the AFK'ers on the players themselves. If that weren't bad enough they allow those with the AFK debuff to maintain and keep the honor that they accrued up until they were reported. It's ridiculous.

I don't know too many players any more that are playing the game for enjoyment, they play because they are either addicted, it's part of their routine, or they spent so much time leveling their characters they don't want to give them up.

Now some people do enjoy the game though, and I think for the most part those folks are newer to the game and still enjoying the initial fun that the game offered to the rest of us. The newness that an MMO of WoW's stature gives to those looking for a fun Onliine experience.

I've decided that I'm most likely not going to continue my subscription, that gives me another 2 months of play time, and if things haven't changed by then I'll go and try something new.

It's funny because this game was allot of fun at one time, the communities were all enjoying it, the pvp aspect was a blast, and it was full of laughs and fun. Now it's work, grinding for rep/honor, pointless quests, ridiculous requirements for mounts/epics, and content that no one but the most well geared can even begin to explore.

Until then I'm going to play and try and find something enjoyable to do while I'm there.

- Rob

A Battle of Wills - I Surrender

2007-12-12T20:31:00.000-08:00

Lately I've noticed that my eldest daughter Jecynda has been much more argumentative with me in respect to bed times, doing homework, play time, and items.

I thought maybe at first that maybe she was angry about something and this was her way to deal with it. So earlier today I decided that the two of us would have a talk. I drove us down to the mall and we did some shopping, we sat at A&W and had a bite to eat, and then we stopped off for an ice cream and sat down. I decided to talk with her then about what was going on and what she thought we could do to solve the problem.

It was then I found out, that I was the problem. She didn't like my rules and thought that she was old enough now for some of them to be changed. Her list of demands were:

1) Go to sleep at 10pm rather than 9pm
2) Do homework when she feels like doing it and not at 7pm
3) She wants her room changed to more reflect herself
4) Be allowed to stay out past 9pm with friends
5) Allowed to go to the mall in the afternoon with her friends

Most of these demands were things that I would be a bit more flexible with had she not been giving me some attitude when she told me about them.

This is where the Battle of the Wills began. I was getting pissy at her attitude and she was getting frustrated with my getting pissy with her attitude.

So, I took a deep breath and made the following compromises with her.

1) Weeknights she can go to bed at 10pm as long as I have no trouble getting her up in the morning.
2) Homework gets done before bedtime, she has the freedom to choose when.
3) I gave her a week to come up with a list of changes for her room, and then we would discuss that.
4) 9pm is the latest she is allowed out at, there is no compromise here.
5) She can go with her friends to the Mall on the condition she is back at school on time, her homework is done, she doesn't do anything stupid like stealing, or anything else peer pressured teens tend to do in those situation.

We agreed on these things, and we'll see how it goes.

Of course after we arrived home and she started to play, I thought to myself: "My little girl is growing up way to fast." And that's when I needed some Daddy sad time, and retired to my room to reflect on how fast the time is flying by.

- Rob

Infamy and Pillows (repost)

2007-12-10T19:20:00.000-08:00

I'm reposting this in this blog, because it cracks me up.

It started out innocently enough. I was tired from the days work and decided to take a manly type nap (Emphasis on Manly type Nap...not one of those wussy naps). The girls were playing downstairs so I ventured down to let them know that I was going to take a nap for a bit and to wake me if they needed me. "Yes, Daddy," was the unanimous answer.

It was at that point I should have realized that evil was afoot.

I wandered back up stairs, and lay down in my nice comfy bed. I hadn't slept much the past few nights for some reason and it had caught up to me pretty harshly. So before I knew it I was out and dreaming of nude jello wrestling...err...ignore that.

The first I realized I was under attack was the woomf of a pillow to the side of the head, a few feathers lodged in my nose causing me to sneeze crazily. The second pillow caught my sneezing frame right in the solar plexis, and a third to the side of my face.

The laughter finally brought me around long enough to be aware of the injustice being dealt upon me. Another smack to the forehead and one to the nose and I was up grabbing wildly for a weapon. My hands grasped a lamp....errr...put that back down, the damage would have been severe, and picked up a stuffed giraffe. *note*....it's not mine...it was Marrissa's...errr...she left it in there....yeah...that's it.

I aimed carefully while being battered and let fly my first sortie. It missed. I got creamed again by a flurry of strikes. One of the pillow corners smacked me in the eye and my eyes were watering. I couldn't see at all. Next thing I know the attack is over, the air is full of feathers, and the silence was spooky. I heard the thumping of feet, the slamming of a door, and the locking of the bathroom lock. The quiet giggling of the girls told me they were in hiding and with that the battle was over, and I was defeated.

However......the War had just begun.

Viva la Daddy!!!!

I'm Back, Life Until Now

2007-12-08T07:11:00.001-08:00

Wow, again another long period of time passes before I start publishing to my blog again. First I have to say that the past 7 months have been added to the the top three worst years in my life.

I was laid off, I went through two relationships that didn't work out for various reasons, my car had a head gasket go and will cost roughly 1300 to fix, my daughter broke her arm, I had my gall bladder removed, Xmas will be very slim this year, and I lost a few close friends.

I have also drudged up quite a few old memories of the murder of my brother which was very difficult to do but also a bit therapeutic and necessary. I spoke with one of the investigators from that period and we emailed back and forth about the events that led up to and past the time of the murder. The course cases, the cover up by the Canadian Military because it was a French - English racism topic that the gov't didn't want Canada to hear about because of the stresses that referendum talk was having on the public.

So last month I sat down and I decided that life isn't going to run me over without a fight. I decided it was time to take matters into my own hands and to get out of the path I had been following. My first decision was career wise.

Career Decision: Over the past 15 years I have been in IT, I have worked for several companies some large and some small. I have always moved up the ladder when I switched companies and I have always excelled at my positions. Recently I began working with a smaller company out of Mississauga, Ont and things were apparent very early that it wasn't a good fit for me. I won't go into reasons why but let's say that the management system needed some work. After a year of working there it was pretty well known that my feelings about the company were very negative, I didn't want to be there, and when the opportunity came up I took a lay-off. I was very confident that i could find another position very quickly. However, 6 months later and I'm still looking. There are many jobs available but nothing within my area that would be worth pursuing. I didn't want to have to uproot the girls, move, find babysitters, apartment searching, and a host of other things at that time.

So my decision was to join the Air Force as an ATIS tech. It's a spec trade which means advanced promotion and pay as well as being something that will use my IT background. I passed the aptitude test with flying colors and my interview went very well. I'm on to the medical check and if that works out, I'm in. I will go to my 10 week basic training in early Jan or late Dec. I'm in the poorest shape of my life, but I've been told it won't be an issue, they make you get back into shape, lol.

Relationship Decision: I dated two ladies over the last year, one I miss very much but she lives in Bathurst and it was just too far for us to commute to keep things going. The other more recently was just a disaster and I'm actually glad it's over. Mainly for the safety of my girls than anything.

I have decided that I'm going to take a break from dating for awhile until I have my life worked out better, my own apartment/house, and to allow my girls to mature a bit more before they start meeting those I'm dating. My girls have a tendency to become quickly attached to people and it hurts them if things don't work out.

Outlook Decision: My outlook on life over the past year has changed dramatically. I have gone from being a happy, caring, humorous, and loving person to someone who is completely jaded on Life, Religion, Politics, and People. I have distanced myself from many of those I once called friends for varying number of reasons and with some I feel the justification for doing so is still sound. However, for those that I distanced myself from that was due to my hiding behind a mask of self-hate and depression, I have written to and apologized in my own way. I do so because it's the way i can move forward without having guilt about decisions made in haste or for the wrong reasons.

I have vowed to start being positive about life again, giving people the benefit of the doubt, and to get out more. To enjoy life again.

Allot has changed for me over the past years, my life has been one big pile of nonsensical crap and it all stems from the major events in my life never having been dealt with properly by me. I have been an emotional wreck for over 10 years. The death of my brother, the loss of someone I cared for deeply, the break up of a relationship to someone that I deeply loved, the battle for my children, and the list goes on. I needed help dealing with these issues and I never took the time to get it. That changed recently and it is really going a long way to help me cope with my emotions. No wonder I couldn't watch a sad show without balling my eyes out.

So, with these goals and the life plan I have set out I will battle on. Hopefully, the next year will bring some peace, love, and understanding my way. If not, then at least I'll know I went down fighting.

Me.

US Dollar Hegemony and What it means to Canada

2007-06-15T10:31:00.000-07:00

An interesting conversation happened between an American friend of mine and myself. We started to talk about the dominance of the American Dollar in foreign markets and the hegemony that exists. With news that the Russians may start excepting the Euro as their new "oil" dollar and the fact that Iran has stated publicly that it will do so as well has caused fear to start rippling through the American banks, Investors, Corporations, and of course the Government. With American debt and spending so high, the weak dollar, and lack of leadership it is a fear that any informed American should take seriously.

Now my question is how will this affect Canada, and our finances. As I am not an Economist or really have any financial background I was wondering what this would mean for our economy. Some say that our dollar is growing in strength and that we will be fine. If the American dollar falls below ours, we will be even better off. So, maybe Canada should consider using the Euro as our "oil" dollar as well. I'm all for ending the dominance of the American dollar and in so doing weakening the power they wield over the rest of the world.

I asked my friend one time what he was most fearful of being an American. He answered, "At this point everything scares me. I can't get away from the media and their doomsaying, I can't get away from feeling that even though I'm far removed from the cities that our small town will be attacked. It's better to ask me what I'm not afraid of, that would be a much smaller list."

I thought to myself....How sad is that really. Here are some great articles on the American dollar hegemony.

THE INTERNATIONAL FORECASTER editor Bob Chapman writes: In a move that would have massive repercussions in the global balance of power, last week Russian President Vladimir Putin said Russia could switch its trade in oil from US dollars to euros.

This news has not appeared anywhere in the western media.

Mind you, the comments were made at a joint news conference with German Chancellor Gerhard Schroeder in Yekaterinburg, where the two leaders conducted two-day talks.

We believe this is the beginning of a move by European elitists to replace the US dollar as the world's reserve currency.

A Russian move in this direction would boost the euros gradually growing share of global currency reserves and could prove to be catastrophic for the US ... it would end the US license to do as it pleases throughout the world.

http://forums.canadiancontent.net/international-politics/34891-us-dollar-hedgemony.html

The End of Dollar Hegemony

Before the U.S. House of Representatives 02/15/06

By Ron Paul

02/16/06 "ICH" -- -- A hundred years ago it was called “dollar diplomacy.” After World War II, and especially after the fall of the Soviet Union in 1989, that policy evolved into “dollar hegemony.” But after all these many years of great success, our dollar dominance is coming to an end.

It has been said, rightly, that he who holds the gold makes the rules. In earlier times it was readily accepted that fair and honest trade required an exchange for something of real value.

First it was simply barter of goods. Then it was discovered that gold held a universal attraction, and was a convenient substitute for more cumbersome barter transactions. Not only did gold facilitate exchange of goods and services, it served as a store of value for those who wanted to save for a rainy day.

Though money developed naturally in the marketplace, as governments grew in power they assumed monopoly control over money. Sometimes governments succeeded in guaranteeing the quality and purity of gold, but in time governments learned to outspend their revenues. New or higher taxes always incurred the disapproval of the people, so it wasn’t long before Kings and Caesars learned how to inflate their currencies by reducing the amount of gold in each coin-- always hoping their subjects wouldn’t discover the fraud. But the people always did, and they strenuously objected.

This helped pressure leaders to seek more gold by conquering other nations. The people became accustomed to living beyond their means, and enjoyed the circuses and bread. Financing extravagances by conquering foreign lands seemed a logical alternative to working harder and producing more. Besides, conquering nations not only brought home gold, they brought home slaves as well. Taxing the people in conquered territories also provided an incentive to build empires. This system of government worked well for a while, but the moral decline of the people led to an unwillingness to produce for themselves. There was a limit to the number of countries that could be sacked for their wealth, and this always brought empires to an end. When gold no longer could be obtained, their military might crumbled. In those days those who held the gold truly wrote the rules and lived well.

That general rule has held fast throughout the ages. When gold was used, and the rules protected honest commerce, productive nations thrived. Whenever wealthy nations-- those with powerful armies and gold-- strived only for empire and easy fortunes to support welfare at home, those nations failed.

Today the principles are the same, but the process is quite different. Gold no longer is the currency of the realm; paper is. The truth now is: “He who prints the money makes the rules”-- at least for the time being. Although gold is not used, the goals are the same: compel foreign countries to produce and subsidize the country with military superiority and control over the monetary printing presses.

Since printing paper money is nothing short of counterfeiting, the issuer of the international currency must always be the country with the military might to guarantee control over the system. This magnificent scheme seems the perfect system for obtaining perpetual wealth for the country that issues the de facto world currency. The one problem, however, is that such a system destroys the character of the counterfeiting nation’s people-- just as was the case when gold was the currency and it was obtained by conquering other nations. And this destroys the incentive to save and produce, while encouraging debt and runaway welfare.

The pressure at home to inflate the currency comes from the corporate welfare recipients, as well as those who demand handouts as compensation for their needs and perceived injuries by others. In both cases personal responsibility for one’s actions is rejected.

When paper money is rejected, or when gold runs out, wealth and political stability are lost. The country then must go from living beyond its means to living beneath its means, until the economic and political systems adjust to the new rules-- rules no longer written by those who ran the now defunct printing press.

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article11946.htm

Some further information on the subject:

http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article12346.htm
http://www.informationclearinghouse.info/article8411.htm

My Switch to Linux (Ubuntu) and other Happenings

2007-06-13T04:56:00.000-07:00

Heya,

First I have to get something out of the way here. Yayyy for Paris "The Tramp" Hilton to get jail time and actually have to do it. How sick are we of these spoiled rotten rich celebrities getting off with literally murder and doing no time. Now if only the courts could do the same for white collar crime, things would be much more fair in the US.

Now that it's off my chest, back to my original blog topic.

I recently made the switch from Windows XP/Vista to Ubuntu Linux and I'd like to walk all of you through how easily this was done, and how extremely happy I really am with this switch.

First the reason for the switch: If any of you have tried Vista yet, then I probably don't need to tell you it's a resource heavy, piece of shit. You need to buy a high end computer to run the damn thing and even then it's slow, clumsy, and STILL filled with security holes. Not to mention the ton of spam, viruses, hacks, trojans, malware, worms, spyware, etc. I had had enough and decided to see what all of the Linux hype was about.

I tentatively downloaded and installed the Ubuntu 6.0 Live CD and tried it out. I was messing around with the installed software and came across one particular program that just absolutely blew my mind: AmoroK.

AmoroK is a music jukebox type of application, but is far off the best I have ever had the pleasure to use. Not only will it show compatible artists and songs (as well as rate them), it will also provide you album covers, search for the lyrics, give you the artists wikipedia information, play and record your Last.fm song information, and a zillion other things. 10/10.

Then I started finding other programs and applications that were just far better than there Windows counterparts. It was then that I saw a youtube video for Beryl/Compiz. These are desktop effects that are encorporated now by default in the new 7.04 Feisty Fawn Ubuntu distribution, and it absolutely BLEW my mind.

Here is the link: Beryl

After this I installed it as a dual boot with my Windows XP and started playing with it. I began Themeing the Desktop and such, and that was so easy and cool, that there was another high score for Ubuntu. Once I had my complete Desktop the way I wanted with all the sweet 3D backgrounds, desklets, and effects going I was content.

I then found a way to run my Windows XP through VirtualBox (VMWare type app (only I found it much better)) I decided to take the leap and create just the Ubuntu install with Winxp in a virtual window. I very very rarely use Windows now.

One of the things that I initially found daunting was the command line options (although really you do not need to use this, there are gui icons for everything) I found that installing applications were a joke, here's an example of my entry that installs everything I need:

sudo apt-get install mozilla-thunderbird gftp kftpgrabber nfs-common vlc par2 unrar xmms xmms-mad xmms-skins sun-java5-plugin sun-java5-bin ubuntu-restricted-extras libk3b2-mp3 ntfs-config libxine-extracodecs xine-ui mplayer mplayer-skins kubuntu-desktop xubuntu-desktop azureus klibido

Now this may look complex, but actually all it consists of is a listing of the apps and such that I want to install in one line. The command itself is simply: sudo apt-get install (then just start listing the applications you want to install) and BOOM....it installs them. No hunting all of the damn web for applications then having to download, then install, then delete the containers. No spyware added to the installs to support the distribution...easy as pie.

If you don't like using the command line (which you will after you get used to the idea) you can use the Synaptic Package Manager, which is a one stop shop for so many applications it's hard to believe you can't find something that you are looking for.

Here are a few basic screenshots of my desktop, you can't see all of the effects, but it's an idea:
This is the basic desktop cube, I actually have 3D effects enabled and I changed my background to black to make the picture come out better.

And this is the desktop, again without any of the effects for better picture taking.

Now the greatest part of all: It's all FREE...as in doesn't cost you a penny. It is all open source software. No spyware, no viruses, no need for AV/Firewall running in the background, easy as hell to use, much prettier and more customizable than Windows, more powerful, and hella faster.

I HIGHLY recommend that if you have not tried Linux to give it a go...the Community at http://ubuntuforums.org are amazing. If you have questions or ran into a problem there are thousands of people ready and willing to help out.

www.ubuntu.com give it a go: There are two flavors, Kubuntu and Ubuntu (KDE/Gnome user interface respectively) If you don't know the difference between the Desktops, then go with Ubuntu initially.

Wow, Almost a Year.

2007-06-10T17:05:00.000-07:00

Where has the time gone? I can't believe my last post on here was almost a year ago...holy crap.

Blogging for me was always a way for me to help clear my mind of things that were going in my life and the world around me. A way for me to express my opinion openly and to vent about issues that bothered me. After blogging for awhile I was also very lucky to meet alot of people that either agreed with me or disagreed with me, and we formed a community. I really think that's the greatest part of writing a blog.

I've switched blog sites so many times that I've actually lost track of where I have posts and where I don't, lol. However, I have decided that although some sites offer things others don't, it's time for me to pick one and keep it. This is going to be it.

I will be updating this as I go. I will also find the time to start reading others again, for the time that has past that I have not, I have missed out on alot of information, opinions, and views. I think it's terribly important to read those because it reflects on how I portray and see things. It adds clarity.

So, I'm back.

Seth

Moving Forward/Reflections

2006-07-24T05:52:00.000-07:00

All is well in Rob land. The job is going great, the kids graduated and are having a wonderful summer, I've lost 11 pounds, and the dog seems to be finally making some new doggy friends with our new neighbours (the war is over).

Thanks to some of my buddies for having me over to play poker on Friday, sorry you lost all that money to me, mwahahaha. $113 bucks isn't a bad take home all things considered, next time we can have it at my place, just bought a new table that would be perfect for it.

Our Mentor Meet will be held in St. Andrews and I believe it lasts 3 days, all of the remote Mentors will be flying in to Moncton, where we will pick them up and cart them all on over to the Hotel. I'm really looking forward to this, beats the hell out of the Family Day my old employer gave us. It really amazes me how the smaller companies treat their employees so much better than the larger ones, I guess after a certain growth in a company it's no longer the employees that matter anymore, and that's just sad. I really hope this doesn't happen with GMS, they are growing so quickly and offer such a broad range of services that in no time they are going to be very very big.

A dialogue has been started between myself and a buddy of mine, I have sent an email to him explaining things from my point of view, as long as it stays between him and myself, I think it can be worked out.

Well another birthday has passed, and I have to say that it was one of the better ones I've ever had, it was a time of reflection for me and a time for me to really grasp how good I have it now. I still would like to move, and all things are now possible, but in the last few years I've really come a long ways. I think that the turmultuous relationship I had with my ex, the circumstances of why I took custody of the girls, the inability of coping with my brothers murder for such a long time, and other issues that I kept buried finally had a chance to air themselves and I was able to put most of it behind me. I look back now and wonder at the wasted time, but in hindsite I think I needed it as well. The death of my brother still haunts me and I still can't forgive. As far as my ex goes, I've come to alot of realizations, 1) She was one messed up cookie long before I met her. 2) I have two beautiful daughters through that relationship 3) Looking back, she really wasn't worth the heartbreak. (Although she was my first real love, and that's always hard to get over).

Well, my exercise routine got a boost yesterday, the friend of mine that I'm currently in dispute with, dropped off a Treadmill to me. Although, I certainly appreciate his efforts, I'm still really hurt by his previous actions. The treadmill doesn't really work all that well, it kind of jolts the mat so that you can't really get a walking pace going, becauseit jerks your feet backwards, lol. But it was the thought that counts, and putting everything aside, I still love ya man, and thanks for the gift.

Also, I'm trying to get a BBQ together for myself and some of my old buddies from SS. Really miss the laughs and joking around we had on a nightly basis. They were all a great bunch of guys with great senses of humor. I worked out a miscommunication with one buddy of mine, I had written a hasty goodbye email to them all and accidently left his name off the list, I think it was because he wasn't working at the time, and I was so flustered trying to get out of there that I just overlooked him. So, again DR my apologies if you read this.

I'm one more step closer to buying my own house, I've been buying furniture and appliances for when i do pick one out, but finally the Bank has given me the ok to start looking. I'm also looking to buy a new car, trading in the Tauras, according to the Bank, they can help me there as well. The only issue facing me now is that if I do decide to buy a house here, I'm committed to staying here, no more thoughts of leaving to Ottawa. So, I'm really taking my time deciding.

I started with Athabasca again for my new Semester, I've decided to change my Major from Computer Science to Psychology. My end term plan is to get my Majors or PhD, and actually do something to help others with it, maybe be a youth councellor or something. I love my current job, but I think I'd like a change. I got into the computer field mainly due to desperation, (new child on the way), and it wasn't what I really wanted to do.

And that is me getting caught up so far.

Robert

The End of an Era

2006-05-04T09:03:00.000-07:00

I'm free! I've finally mustered up the courage (liquid as it may be) and left my job for something much better.

The management at my old job was a group of terrible, untrained, clique', bunch of idiots. There was just too much dissention within the ranks and they did very little to end it, and much to keep it at its peak.

They gave out $3000 dollar bonuses to some, none to others. This wasn't based on anything other than the fact they were trying to build morale. Which, obviously, wasn't the case. They gave raises to some and not others, and of course those that got them couldn't keep it secret, so the others that didn't got angered. (I happened to receive both). The stress and hostility in that place could be cut with a knife, and I'm actually suprised it wasn't.

My new position is a work from home Mentoring position. The pay is approx $1000 less, but with the cost of driving, food, and babysitters, I'm going to come out ahead. I'll get to use my home office as my work space, I can move to any city in Canada and work now. So FINALLY, Ottawa here I come again baby!!!!

Things are looking up, of course change is a bit scary, but I laugh in the face of err..scary.

-Sethalos

Back to Work

2006-05-01T12:24:00.000-07:00

Well, I'm back at it again. After a little over a month of recovery time, I felt it was time to get back to work. To be honest if I had my way, like most people, I'd just as soon stay on leave, hehe.

First day back was definately not good. After answer the requisite number of questions from co-workers, the work began. It's not hard to remember why I needed time off. I'm strong starting to consider a different career.

I've had alot of time to think about things, and I do believe that in my case now, that would be my best course. I need to have something more interesting and not as sedintary as what it is I'm doing now.

Short blog today, but now that I'm back at work, I will try and update regularly.

Seth

Doctor, Daughters, and Doggy

2006-04-18T14:58:00.000-07:00

So, I've been off from work now for about a month because of this Anxiety/Stress/Heart issue and just found out that my Doctor forgot to send in the paperwork to my insurance company so that I could get paid for Short Term Disability while I'm out. Now the dumb #$%$ is on vacation for two weeks and I'm halfway through my savings. Just goes to figure that when things go bad, they go realllly bad.

Well my two evil daughters loved there Easter, we had the requisite egg hunt, and they received their new Bikes. We had a great time of it, this year rather than cooking a huge meal we all decided to go out to our local fancy resteraunt and let them do the dishes for the night. The food was great, the kids behaved, and jokes were told. I think we should do the eat out thing more often.

Jecynda, however, is home from school for a few days with Broncitus (sp?) and even sick she still has the energy of 15 of me.

Well, it's spring, and spring brings water and water brings a wet dog. Every single time I take Winter out for a walk, she gets to the bridge, looks back at me with those wide innocent brown eyes, and jumps in the river. Normally this wouldn't bother me but wet dog on a muddy trail = muddy car seats on the trip home. At least this time the beaver decided not to show itself and cause my lab to try and navigate herself across the fast current of the river to chase it.

On a political note, the US has decided not to allow us Canadians to use our Passports if we want to cross the border by land. They have it in their heads that "special" identification cards are the solution, yet, they can't seem to agree on what the cards will ultimately do or how they will be authenticated.

I'm at the point now where I think Canadians (Business/Individual) should just not bother visiting the US until Bush is out of office. He's a twit. Of course, the lady that I'm currently involved with is an american and lives just across the border...DOH!!

Anyways, I'm not sure they are aware that you have to go through a very thorough screening to acquire a passport, denying entry to those that use our passports is downright rediculous.

- Seth

Tattoo Experience

2006-04-03T13:00:00.000-07:00

Well, I did it. With the moral support of two of my best friends I went in today to get my tattoo. It took about 2.5 hours and it looks AMAZING!!!.

I'm going to take a picture of it and post it on my blog later. Can't take the bandage off for a few hours. For those of you that don't have one because you fear the pain...didn't hurt much at all to be honest. I had my self freaked right out, but when he started, there was really nothing to it.

The only time it became sore was when "Billy - The tattoo artist" took a quick smoke break. When he came back and started working on it again, that was a bit tender, hehe. I'm most likely going to get another one in a few months or so, I'm extremely impressed with the work he did.

These guys are brilliant artists, I really never took much notice before, I always thought that tattoos were just traced on, but to be honest, there is alot to it. And the skill and talent of some of these guys is just amazing. I went through some of the work he had done previously and it really just blew my mind how detailed and unbelievable some of the images were.

And I didn't cry once. hehe.

On a seperate note, I've decided to not purchase the Mustang GT V8. I'm going to hold off a bit. For the record though: I LOVE THAT CAR!

- Sethalos

Here it is:

Tattoo's and Me

2006-03-30T17:30:00.000-08:00

One thing I have always wanted to do but never had the cajones to do was to get a tattoo. It's not that I'm especially scared of the pain (however, that's definately a factor, haha) it's more the problem of looking back in 10 years and asking myself, "What the hell was I thinking?".

Well today I went into our local tattoo spot and picked out a Stone Angel (baby looking) with a cross, underneath I will have the names of my two little girls in a rock type font. I'll take a picture of it and post it after it's done. I'm a bit nervous about it, but to be honest, I've wanted one for a very long time and this is a good time to do it.

I went for blood tests today, and an ecg. I think there will be more tests soon, we'll see. As for now, I still have a pain in my left arm, and I find it very uncomfortable to lay on my left side. So I'm pretty confident something is up. My doctor believes that it is all anxiety related, but I have a nagging suspicion it's more serious than that. He's the expert though.

Also, on another note, I've decided that I'm going to trade in my 2001 Ford Tauras SE, for a 2006 Ford Mustang GT V8. It's black with a burgandy interior, detailed, and two front air intakes. The payments will be roughly what I'm paying for my Tauras now, so that makes it an even sweeter deal. I've always owned family orientated sedans and this time I'm getting something for myself. I love Mustangs, and I love the look of the new ones. So, I'm off to the bank tommorrow to try and get the financing all arranged. Hopefully, by the end of the week, I'll be ripping up the highways in my new Mustang...and yes...I'll be nekked...err...nevermind that part.

-Sethalos

Tunage Extremicus

2006-03-25T14:51:00.000-08:00

"...and if you leave me...Furious Angels shall bring you back to me." Rob Dougan.

For all of you out there that are like me and love to listen to new music I've found some pretty darn good tunes to listen to.

Furious Angels - Rob Dougan
Black Brick Road - Lake of Tears (EXCELLENT)
Stone the Crow - Down
Vindicated - Dashboard Confessionals
Slow Chemical - Finger Eleven
Nothing at All - Rob Dougan
Furnace Room Lullabye - Neko Case and her Boyfriends
Time for People - Atomship
Put your lights on - Everlast Santana
Ordinary - Train
Release - Anathema

These are just a few of the tunes that I'm listening to at the moment, give them a try, you will like I'm sure.

My saturday plans kind of went up in smoke when the folks decided to take off for the evening, lol. So no babsitter. I've been going through my 100+ gigs of music and put together a few good cd's. I'm one of those people that has to have music no matter what they are doing.

If you're one of those, toss some songs my way, let me know the Artist, the Song Title, and possibly the album.

-Sethalos

Let the Relaxation Begin

2006-03-24T07:17:00.000-08:00

Well, it's done. I spoke with my doctor yesterday and he wrote me about a note giving me an inedefinate amount of time off from the job for medical reasons. He's a bit upset at me that it took this long for me to do, actually. He thinks that I may have permanently damaged myself.

Of course, work is extremely pissed off that I am taking stress leave (for medical reasons) and I'm sure they are looking for every possible way to let me go now. I used to love that job, teaching the students, learning new things, and the camaraderie that went along with working with a single bunch of people for 3 years. We have alot of laughs during that time. But, things change, the company went through a takeover by SkillSoft (Previously SmartForce), our management was so concerned about the bottom line (financial) that they forgot to take into account the employee. We use very out of date equipment (replaced by equipment that was equally bad, only newer), 15" CRT Monitors that the dinosaurs generally used (very hard on the eyes), a pention for never giving praise but quickly firing off emails if something was wrong, no management interaction, untrained management, and the list goes on. The workplace went from an enjoyable place to be, to a place you dread going to every morning, wondering what email would be in your inbox telling you that you fucked up some how.

Not to mention all of those, but the writing of certification exams every 6 weeks. I mean, people take college courses to learn this stuff and it takes them a year usually for one or two certifications, we do these every 6 weeks. Do you think we have adequate resources, hell no, they buy us a book, and tell us we can only study at home...not at work. The company won't pay for technology lectures that come around to help keep us in the know, either. There are so many things about this company that I hate now, that I can't even possibly get into it all. Suffice as to say, that I will be looking for something else immediately. Hopefully, I'll find something of interest. Until then, i'm taking time off to relax and get my health back up.

I still have alot of tests that I have to go through to be sure that my heart and arteries are ok. I'm on a diet now (forced this time), hehe. So at least that's a good thing.

I haven't had a chance to talk to my special lady friend now for about 4 days, no answers to me emails either, so I'm beginning to think that maybe this was all one sided. I'll keep up hope though and maybe it can work. We're only about 2 hours away from each other, so it can't be all the distance.

Well, there is where i'm at today.

-Sethalos

Cars and the Companies that Build Them

2006-03-22T11:51:00.000-08:00

I was reading about the recent GM employee buyouts and early retirement offerings with a bit of skepticism. Not from a corporate or economic view but from an overall perspective of business in the US.

Much of the innovation that is ongoing for automotive makers is coming from Europe of Asia. Most of the automobiles that are being purchased are not the big SUV gas guzzling beasts that are the North American standard money winner. With the cost of fuel on the rise, and no hint of it slowing in the near future, it's time for American companies to wake up and smell the coffee. We are in a global oil crisis, and it's only going to get worse. The type of automobiles that are created must reflect this.

My question is where are all the true hybrids? Where is all of the innovation for new types of fuels? Why aren't these automobiles flying out of the dealerships?

One big reason is that they aren't worth it yet. They aren't true hybrids for the most part (some exceptions apply), and they still require gas.

I would love to see new fuel options available (cooking oil anyone?) . I'd love to see some new modern vehicles (ones that are truly awe inspiring) come down in price. A good example of what I'm talking about is the new Pontiac Solstice which I can see would be a HUGE success if they can manage to keep the price down.

I currently own a 2001 Ford Tauras SE 6cylinder family car. Let me tell you, this sucker is HELL on fuel. I have owned Ford vehicles for the last 3 cars that I've had. This will be my last one. I am strongly considering picking up a new hybrid Toyota or even a Honda. I'm in the market now for a car, and will soon start researching vehicles in my price range. I'm a bit skeptical to be honest about my choices.

Many people are losing their jobs in North America due to outsourcing and such, but many others are losing their jobs to the fact that some companies just are not on the ball as to what their customers want. When they finally do luck into something that is a hit, they over price it to the point that many who had considered it won't purchase it anymore, and go on to a less expensive alternative, that actually is quite comparitive in all departments.

I feel so bad for people losing their jobs for reasons such as this. It's terrible.

-Sethalos.

Sleep...or lack thereof

2006-03-21T05:55:00.000-08:00

How many times have you been lying in bed, tossing and turning, staring at the clock saying, "Three more hours before I have to get up, ok...going to close my eyes and sleep now." then "two more hours...need sleep."..."One more"...."SHIT!!".

Sleep disorders are quite common and they can be solved by something as simple as buying a new pillow or a mattress. Or...you need serious drugs, therapy, and meditation.

I'm one of those folks that it takes a very long time for me to get relaxed enough to fall asleep. I toss and I turn, and I toss and I turn until finally at some juncture of which I'm oblivious...I fall asleep. However, if there is the slightest little noise, or nuisance I'll wake up, and it will take another hour or so for me to get back to sleep.

Well, this goes hand in hand with my previous blog about Stress and anxiety, because sleep deprivation is part of the big three. Stress, Anxiety, Lack of Sleep. The problem with the lack of sleep is that it is culmulative, so if you get 5 hours on mon, 6 hours on tues, 4 on on wed...come thursday you're working on no sleep. No sleep, leads to stress, which leads to anxiety, which leads to death or worse.

It's funny because I brought this subject up with some friends, and not a single one of them sleeps well. Not one! That's pretty scary.

I've even gone so far as to pick up sleeping pills and use them when I absolutely must rest and cant' seem to. But, they are addictive, and the more you use them, the less they work. The next best thing....NYQUIL...hell yeah that stuff is a godsend. But again, addictive.

A girl I'm very fond of at the moment gave me a tip....meditation. Relaxation techniques. So, I'm about to go all samurai on everyone's ass, and actually give it a shot. I keep picturing monks and their chanting while sitting cross-legged in a temple. Well at least I have the bald head to fit in.

Too many times I've woken up from a sleep only to find myself as or more tired than when I first lay down. Too many times, I've watched the mintues tick away trying to get that few hours of desperate rest. Too many times, have I woken from a sleep only to find I've only slept for an hour and then can't get back to sleep.

Not sure if there are any answers for this yet, going to bring it up to my doc when I see him on Thursday, but I have to say, this is just way to common, and what is this really saying about the method in which people live their lives.

Sethalos

The Heart vs Work

2006-03-20T07:28:00.000-08:00

I went to see the doctor this morning about some pains I've been having in my chest and left arm. I immediately chalked it up to something to do with my heart obviously and it scared the shit out of me.

However, apparently my heart is fine, i'm in good shape (although I need to drop some weight), and my blood pressure is good. The problem: Stress.

Apparently, stress is rapidly becoming one of the most common reasons that people have heart problems, high blood pressure, migrains, etc. The hours I work, the job situation, family problems, single parenthood, and many other contributing factors have finally pushed my Stress threshold to the limit where my body is giving me a very clear warning. Stop it or die.

I've decided that I'm going to look into another position with another company. Something with daytime hours, and not as much corporate crap. There will always be stress I think in any job, but I can at the very least minimize it as much as possible. My doctor is going to see me again on Thursday, and on his recommendation he is giving me a letter to allow me to leave my job for stress related reasons. He's actually broached this with me last November when I went to see him about pains in my chest, and he's happy to do it now.

The issue for me is leaving a position because of stress. I feel kind of wimpy to be honest. Real men don't leave there jobs because of stress do they? I mean, shit, if I lost an arm maybe...lol...but stress. I'm trying to justify it all and I'm really having a hard time with it. It means that I'll have to go on Unemployment for a bit until I secure another position (which I could do immediately if need be), but I may just take a month or two to catch up and get healthy. Get some sleep finally and relax.

Doohead had a great blog about something similiar (check it out if you haven't read it, link to the right of my blog) and I responded then, before this happened this morning, and it really just enforces my belief now.

You can't really put much stock in statistics but here is a very good read about stress and what it can do to you if not taken seriously: Great Work Related Stress read .

After my little bout with chest pains this morning...I'm taking this shit seriously now.

If you feel or have felt this type of stress, you've had chest pains, depression, anxiety, or get sick often. GO SEE YOUR DOCTOR!!!.

Seth the Stressed.

It Comes In Threes

2006-03-18T13:23:00.000-08:00

Well, they say that bad luck comes in threes, and I'm on number two already.

I was supposed to go to Boston to write an exam this morning, a pretty big deal at work. Well when I got to the airport they wouldn't allow me to board the plane because my birth certificate didn't match the name on the ticket...let me explain.

When I was 7 my Mother remarried, and along the way we took on my step-fathers name. It never really occurred to me that it was an issue because I seldom use my birth certicate and I've yet to have any problems. However, on the one day that I actually need it, they turned me down.

So not only did I miss my flight (which cost the company 1300 bucks), I missed the exam (which cost 496USD), my only excuse is that they wouldn't allow me to board because of the above explained reason. So, pretty much next week I'll most likely be looking for a new job.

Then later today, I got a killer deal on a new treadmill, $1000 dollar treadmill for $20 bucks. I paid the lady, and ran my buddy back to where his truck was to pick it up, when we got back some guy in a minivan is taking my treadmill. So I yell, "Hey there buddy, I've already paid for that."

Apparently, the lady double sold the treadmill, and this guy had the minivan there. She apologized profusely, but I'm still out a killer deal. Needless to say I was a bit miffed at it.

Now, I'm just waiting for the hammer to fall. I'm pretty sure it'll be my job loss, which wouldn't be altogether that bad for me. I've been wanting out of that job for awhile now. I already have other positions opened up, and you know what, I don't think I'd mind going on unemployment for a few months. I really could use the break.

One good thing that has happened lately is I have met a like minded lady. The problem. She lives about 2 hours away which makes dating difficult. She's a sweety though, and I really really like her. I'm doing my best to try and arrange times to meet up but it's a pain in the ass. Especially, those times you could really use someone to be with both emotionally, physically and err..cuddly. I'd really like to see this work out though, so I'll make every effort.

The girls are doing great, but lately they have been fighting like cats and err..more cats. I'm honestly considering picking up boxing gloves and letting them go at it until they are tuckered out, lol. Either that or find a tranquilizer gun.

Well this is going to be my new blogging home for awhile, so hopefully I will see some of my ole blogging friends around. I will be making more of an effort to keep track of their lives and mayhem. Never know, I may have plenty of spare time shortly. hehe.

So if you see this, send me a heya.

Take care all,

Sethalos

The Move Back

2006-03-18T12:41:00.000-08:00

Well, I have come to the rapid conclusion that MSN Spaces sucks, so I'm going to be coming back here. I guess I will just have to try and figure out how to do all of the things I'd like my Blog to show.

Move will commence immediately.

Seth.

Winters Bath

2006-02-09T12:50:00.000-08:00

Winter needed a bath, badly. So I decided the best course of action, seeing that it has been rainy and yucky outside, was to bath her in the tub. Now the tub isn't all that small and has those jacuzzi spouts in it that sprays water out in nice comforting jets. So my wild idea was to fill the bathtub up about halfway, turn on the shower and the jacuzzi to get her drenched down enough to shampoo her.

You see, in my little reality (here after known as Seth's world), everything works as I imagine it and in my imagination this whole thing went flawlessly and quick.

Now, the one thing about Winter is that she is EXTREMELY timid (of course in Seth's Word this was not a consideration I had taken into account) and doesn't like loud noises or any type of suprise (keep this in mind for later in the story).

So, I try and coax my puppy (who is about 70 pounds and about 64cm's tall. into the bathtub...she wasn't going for it. So I picked her up and placed her in the tub. Next, I started the water, nicly warm letting it rise up to about her belly (this was mistake #1). I used a measuring cup to pour the water onto her back and head, and then using the genius given to me at birth, I hit the Jacuzzi button and jets of warm water shot out of the tub impacting my now very startled dog (mistake # 2). My normally passive animal get's into a doggy karate stance (on two legs and tries to deke me out and jump out of the tub. Well, hell, I played hockey, there is no way in hell this is going to work....WRONG!! She out deked me and jumped out of the tub, water pouring off her all over the floor, she shakes and now there is water all over the ceiling and walls (dirty water I may add) and she is now in, "Don't touch me mode".

As quick thinking as I am I dive and slam the bathroom door shut heading off an even worse catastrophe. Winter knowing now that she is cornered decides to use some of her Dog-foo on me again and rushes me. I slip and fall and smack my arm on the tub (HARD). Winter is now clawing at the door in desperation, but I recover quickly and grab her and lift her back up into the tub. I quickly turn off the jacuzzi and she seems to settle down a bit.

Then deciding that I needed more water, I turn the shower on, water sprays down and nails my puppy in the face. Puppy freaks out again, but this time knowing i'm ready for some more dog-foo or dekeing out jumps straight into my arms and knocks me back on my ass, then i slowly tip over onto my back. I now have a very very wet 70 pound scared and moderately pissed off animal on my chest shaking more water on the ceiling and the walls.

So I push the animal off me, turn the shower off, and being the stubborn trooper I am, pick up the puppy and threw her back in the water. She sits there staring daggers into my soul as I apply the shampoo and wash her fur. (Mistake #3). You see, now I have a timid, scared, pissed off, SLIPPERY dog on my hands and obviously not considering this I grab her coller and once again turn on the shower to wash the soap off. (Mistake #4).

I'm not sure what happened after that...I vaguely remember something smashing into my chest and then a blinding light. I hear voices in the distance and stinging in my eyes. I'm sure somewhere's theirs an angel ready to take me away to a far happier land..but the beotch didn't appear to help me calm down a very freaked out animal that has shampoo dripping from every hair.

Now, if any of you have ever tried to grab a slippery animal in a tiled bathroom that has a half a foot of warm bath water in it. You will agree that it is a tad difficult. So I grabbed a towel, managed to get it around the dog and lifted her up to put her back in the tub to rinse her off...not grasping the fact that the tiled floor is now very slippery with shampoo and bath water.

Again....not sure at what point I did the double back flip half gainer onto the tiled floor but I came to my senses laying on my belly, face plush to a shampooy tiled floor and a 70 pound black lab sitting on my back with absolutely no intentions of getting off of me.

At this point, I did all that a man could do in my circumstances. I grabbed a leash, and led the dog down stairs, outside and into the rain to let it do the dirty work. Not considering the fact that my semi clean animal would roll around in the mud and run through the bushes. I admitted defeat, poured myself a stiff rum and coke and trekked towards the bathroom for the hour an a half it will take to clean it up.

All of this to save myself the gargantuan fee of $30 dollars to have her washed professionally.

Winter 1 Master 0

I shall have my revenge!!!

Seth.

The Move to MSN Spaces

2006-02-09T12:15:00.000-08:00

Well, I recently made a few changes. I deleted most of my blogs from Blogger and moved them to MSN Spaces.

My reasons were that I could display more pictures, and make it a bit more homey. I'm not really happy with MSN Spaces either because I don't have the options to customize the page very much, but for now it'll do.

If you want to visit it you can at http://spaces.msn.com/sethalos

I will be updating this blog with my blogs from there for a bit longer, and then deleting them all from here to be exclusively there.

I will most likely move from Spaces as well once I find a more customizable site.

Take care all...sorry about the deletion of previous posts, you will find them (sans comments) at the spaces site.

-Seth

Liberal View

2006-02-09T09:29:00.000-08:00

I'm a liberal. Yep...that evil word in the present state of affairs. I have an open mind, and believe in the rights of others.

A good example of where I stand on certain issues.
I am:
Pro Gay Marriage
Pro Choice
Pro De-criminilization of Hash and Marijuana
Pro Sheep Molestation...err...nevermind that one.
Pro Religious beliefs
Pro Free Speech

I am one of those people that can't even fathom how conservatives can even justify the word convervative.

con·ser·va·tive
adj.

1. Favoring traditional views and values; tending to oppose change.
2. Traditional or restrained in style: a conservative dark suit.

The world is a constantly changing tapestry of views, religious beliefs, technologies, politics, and lives. How can one who is conservative face or deal with a world that is constantly in flux and changing daily with the view that they oppose change.

Change is good it breeds evolution in not only ideals, ideas, and morals. It promotes a dynamic society, not a static society.

Now don't get me wrong not all change is good, there are things that should remain constant, fitting into the category of "Don't fix it if it isn't broke." But you can always improve upon things.

I look at the governing party of Canada and the United States now, and I truly fear for us. I won't even get into the reasons concerning the United States but if you are one of those that don't involve yourselves in the Political situations, here are a few links for you to take a peek at:

http://tinyurl.com/2dcgj
http://tinyurl.com/4x9ld
http://tinyurl.com/bk45v

As for Canada, my main fear isn't in regards of world domination, but us falling back into a deep debt. I work hard and pay high taxes so that hopefully my children will not have the same burden that my generation does. It was the Brian Mulroney government that really put us all in the hurt locker, and from that stemmed the GST, and high Income Tax.

I fear that his strong empathy for the US administration will place Canada in a position where we are expected to participate in the upcoming war of IRAN. Oh yes, boys and girls...it is coming, and it is inevitable. You see both Iraq and Iran want to do away with oil being paid for only by US dollars, they prefer the Euro...and the US just cannot have that. Regardless of this, I don't want to see Canada involved in that type of thing. I don't want to see our Men and Women killed because of the US outlook on the rest of the world. I don't trust Harper, I never have since his Alliance days. Too many Canadians have forgot some of the things he has said during his political career.

The next year will be very interesting to see what type of changes are brought forth, and what the reaction of the Canadian population will be. We are a very passive people, we don't tend to take as passionate a stand on issues as our neighbours to the south, and I'm afraid that passivity will allow this government to pass some ultra conservative bills.

Let's hope this doesn't happen for all of our sakes.

What we need is a Common Sense Minister, one who can look beyond the veil of partisanship and political nonsense and say, "you know what, that makes no sense at all" and quash it with extreme prejudice.

Here are a few quotes from Harper:

"In terms of the unemployed, of which we have over a million-and-a-half, don't feel particularly bad for many of these people. They don't feel bad about it themselves, as long as they're receiving generous social assistance and unemployment insurance."

- Conservative leader Stephen Harper, then vice-president of the National Citizens Coalition, in a June 1997 Montreal meeting of the Council for National Policy, a right-wing American think tank.

"Canada is a Northern European welfare state in the worst sense of the term, and very proud of it. Canadians make no connection between the fact that they are a Northern European welfare state and the fact that we have very low economic growth, a standard of living substantially lower than yours, a massive brain drain of young professionals to your country, and double the unemployment rate of the United States."

- Conservative leader Stephen Harper, then vice-president of the National Citizens Coalition, in a June 1997 Montreal meeting of the Council for National Policy, a right-wing American think tank.

"Now 'pay equity' has everything to do with pay and nothing to do with equity. It’s based on the vague notion of 'equal pay for work of equal value,' which is not the same as equal pay for the same job."

- Stephen Harper, NCC Overview, Fall 1998.

"I don't know all the facts on Iraq, but I think we should work closely with the Americans."

- Stephen Harper, Report Newsmagazine, March 25th 2002. As it turned out, Harper wasn't the only one who didn't know all the facts.

- Seth