Okay...time to catch up...again.
I was home sick today with Colin. No, he wasn't sick, and I wasn't either...not really. I'm just feeling a little down lately with some - unrelated - health issues.
I really need to start working out. I'm too young to feel this old.
Speaking of old, I finally got to watch the "Star Wars Holiday Special". Only thirty years later. I can only confess that my parents were right about it in one aspect; "you aren't missing all that much" - and wrong about it in another aspect; "it will be on again next year."
Nope. If George Lucas had a time machine, that "special" would no longer exist...anywhere. Having seen it, I concur...it was not the best representation of George's work at that time. CBS didn't do Lucasfilm any favors with that one. I suppose George needed the money...I just didn't think he needed the money that badly.
I can't even recall for certain what family obligation caused me to miss the one-and-only broadcast. Probably a visit to my Grandparents house in Regina.
Had a wonderful visit with Gloria this week. We had a fine evening out and talked it up about many things. She herself has been having a wonderful time visiting family and friends before returning to Merrit and resuming Real Life. Her dad is still incognito since changing his mind about getting baptised. Ah well, there will be other opportunities, I am sure.
Had a really good time at the Bell's on Friday night. We played games and snarfed junk food and talked a bit and got to know each other better. It's a good start toward getting the EQ re-established as a functioning part of the ward. I brought Colin along, and he also had a good time playing video games downstairs while the grown-ups played board games upstairs.
Work is going to be interesting for the next few months. Our seasonal ramp-up and the accompanying slow-down are proceeding as normal. All the stores want all their seasonal merchandise NOW. Two weeks from now the place will be quiet as a library. HBC corporate has decided to spend TEN MILLION DOLLARS on our little facility. At the end of this upgrade, we'll have most of the acoutrements of a "real" Distribution Center. Step one is the installation of a 3 level automated pick module. This is two sections of racking with three levels of walkway in between and automated conveyors that will link up with our existing sorter. We have about 3 weeks left to get it all installed and get it running properly.
Then they're going to disassemble our old sorter in favor of a newer, larger and faster model. Once that's in...we'll have to re-do all the finesse work with the pick module to get it to work with "sorter MkII". In the meantime, we'll be running ALL our outgoing shipments thru 16 doors - no, that's not a typo. Going to be an interesting few weeks. I expect we'll have dealt with all of the inevitable fallout and problems by...this time next year.
Oy.
We're also getting some new equipment. Whether or not we'll get what we actually need remains to be seen.
Sunday, November 30, 2008
Friday, October 31, 2008
This will be...post #150...
wow.
It's All Hallows Eve; and once again through sloth and distraction, I have failed to increase my CSB contributions. Not to worry, I have a back-up plan. I will be going back to Disneyland next year...if only they would start offering overtime at work again.
I am typing this entry on a much-used Toshiba Satellite 100. The display broke a few weeks after I bought it, but this model has an Svga port, so I am able to hook it up to my old CRT monitor.
I also bought a magic jack. I may now make free LD calls anywhere in North America. To all of my family and friends: I'm really, really SORRY I haven't called you in years and years...could you all please send me your phone number via email? Thanks. That reminds me: I have to cancel my LD provider.
Laurie and I still don't have a (ratified) separation agreement. That is the goal for this month. It's been nearly a year since my (ex)wife declared us "un-married"...time to get on with it already.
I signed up for Equifax, both because someone got ahold of a cloned copy of our old TDvisa card, and also because the lawyer I consulted said that while my (ex)wife may be completely trustworthy, it would be best to cover all my financial bases. The Equifax report produced a few surprises, and I will be making some inquiries and shuffling off some deadweight in the near future.
Gloria McGovern's father, Ron McGovern...almost got baptised. An untimely death in the family and a full-on temper tantrum thrown by his wife Emily put the kibosh (at least for now) on that plan. We're all praying for him and we'll see (after a suitable period of mourning has passed) what the future holds for Ron's membership (or not) in the LDS church. Gloria came out to Vancouver in October for a visit...and then came out again two weeks later for her dad's baptism...that said baptism didn't occur has left her more than a little disappointed. She'll get over it...eventually.
I am...unsettled. I now have an action plan with regard to the divorce, but I am still a little reluctant to actually do it. I have started taking control of my own finances and am one step closer to getting ready to attend the Temple again. I hope to be fully ready by the time the Vancouver Temple opens next year. This is important to me.
wow.
It's All Hallows Eve; and once again through sloth and distraction, I have failed to increase my CSB contributions. Not to worry, I have a back-up plan. I will be going back to Disneyland next year...if only they would start offering overtime at work again.
I am typing this entry on a much-used Toshiba Satellite 100. The display broke a few weeks after I bought it, but this model has an Svga port, so I am able to hook it up to my old CRT monitor.
I also bought a magic jack. I may now make free LD calls anywhere in North America. To all of my family and friends: I'm really, really SORRY I haven't called you in years and years...could you all please send me your phone number via email? Thanks. That reminds me: I have to cancel my LD provider.
Laurie and I still don't have a (ratified) separation agreement. That is the goal for this month. It's been nearly a year since my (ex)wife declared us "un-married"...time to get on with it already.
I signed up for Equifax, both because someone got ahold of a cloned copy of our old TDvisa card, and also because the lawyer I consulted said that while my (ex)wife may be completely trustworthy, it would be best to cover all my financial bases. The Equifax report produced a few surprises, and I will be making some inquiries and shuffling off some deadweight in the near future.
Gloria McGovern's father, Ron McGovern...almost got baptised. An untimely death in the family and a full-on temper tantrum thrown by his wife Emily put the kibosh (at least for now) on that plan. We're all praying for him and we'll see (after a suitable period of mourning has passed) what the future holds for Ron's membership (or not) in the LDS church. Gloria came out to Vancouver in October for a visit...and then came out again two weeks later for her dad's baptism...that said baptism didn't occur has left her more than a little disappointed. She'll get over it...eventually.
I am...unsettled. I now have an action plan with regard to the divorce, but I am still a little reluctant to actually do it. I have started taking control of my own finances and am one step closer to getting ready to attend the Temple again. I hope to be fully ready by the time the Vancouver Temple opens next year. This is important to me.
Saturday, September 20, 2008
Two down, one to go.
When I got the Eagle Summit Wagon, through the auspices of Mr. Marv Walling, it arrived with three major mechanical problems.
To reiterate:
-a broken, leaking heater core.
-a warped front brake rotor.
-a CLUNK-y transmission.
The heater core was replaced with a generic unit months ago. I have been trying for the last few weeks to find replacement rotors at my local automotive parts retailers. No luck. I finally ordered the correct (I hoped) part from an outfit called autobarn.com. The parts arrived yesterday. Remember, I have to get the brakes done and the car roadworthy before the last week of this month, in order to renew my auto insurance.
The first surprise was that only *one* rotor arrived. The price from autobarn was a real bargain...for two rotors. Not such a bargain for just one. Their order page was a wee bit misleading; "qty req - 2" means you ought to buy a pair...but they don't sell them in pairs, apparently. The second surprise was that the pads I bought were so easy to install. Did a brief test drive...it was sooooo good to step on the brake pedal and not worry that the front end of the car was going to shake itself apart. I honestly can't tell if that rotor was warped or not, but I can definitely see a difference in how the brakes perform now. I swapped the new one for the driver's side rotor, and put new pads on both sides. There are no shakes, shimmy or squeaks from anywhere around the front brakes. I must have correctly guessed which rotor was warped...
There are torque measurements for the brake calipers...but I'm not terribly concerned. I used my breaker bar to remove the bolts, and used it again to replace them; turning them down until they didn't move anymore.
I've purchased a tank of premium ethanol-blended gasoline, and I'll be cleaning the plugs as well as changing the oil and filters. I'm seriously thinking of a sealing oil additive. All these preparations for "the heap" to pass its next appointment with aircare.
When I got the Eagle Summit Wagon, through the auspices of Mr. Marv Walling, it arrived with three major mechanical problems.
To reiterate:
-a broken, leaking heater core.
-a warped front brake rotor.
-a CLUNK-y transmission.
The heater core was replaced with a generic unit months ago. I have been trying for the last few weeks to find replacement rotors at my local automotive parts retailers. No luck. I finally ordered the correct (I hoped) part from an outfit called autobarn.com. The parts arrived yesterday. Remember, I have to get the brakes done and the car roadworthy before the last week of this month, in order to renew my auto insurance.
The first surprise was that only *one* rotor arrived. The price from autobarn was a real bargain...for two rotors. Not such a bargain for just one. Their order page was a wee bit misleading; "qty req - 2" means you ought to buy a pair...but they don't sell them in pairs, apparently. The second surprise was that the pads I bought were so easy to install. Did a brief test drive...it was sooooo good to step on the brake pedal and not worry that the front end of the car was going to shake itself apart. I honestly can't tell if that rotor was warped or not, but I can definitely see a difference in how the brakes perform now. I swapped the new one for the driver's side rotor, and put new pads on both sides. There are no shakes, shimmy or squeaks from anywhere around the front brakes. I must have correctly guessed which rotor was warped...
There are torque measurements for the brake calipers...but I'm not terribly concerned. I used my breaker bar to remove the bolts, and used it again to replace them; turning them down until they didn't move anymore.
I've purchased a tank of premium ethanol-blended gasoline, and I'll be cleaning the plugs as well as changing the oil and filters. I'm seriously thinking of a sealing oil additive. All these preparations for "the heap" to pass its next appointment with aircare.
Monday, September 08, 2008
The thrills, the spills, the chills...
...and the agony of de feet.
Hmmm...where to begin?
Oy, with the feet again. I'm still finding the odd arachnid around the place. Nothing poisonous, I am pleased to report.
Countdown time!
L found a job with Shoppers DrugMart HomeMedics. She'll be getting her first paycheque in about two weeks.
This would be a perfect time to begin the last stage of our separation: financial.
I move mine to another bank.
We sign a separation agreement on child support payments and other issues.
I start saving up to get myself a REAL LIFE...'cause living in a basement sucks.
In due course...we file for divorce. I could be free by next Christmas. Heck, I could be free by this Christmas if I wanted to push the "infidelity" button...but I think not.
Let's take the high road here.
Speaking of roadworthy...my car isn't.
Has it been six months already? My insur is up for renewal at the end of Sept., and I also got a notice that "the heap" will need an AirCare inspection before then.
It's engine runs fine...but I don't think I'm going to pass...
What a lot of people don't realize is that when AirCare was first instituted, under the SoCred government...they had first tried to introduce mandatory vehicle inspections. Just like California had...the idea got shot down, and so an "emissions only" test was set up instead.
However...make no mistake, AirCare is not *only* about emissions...it's also a basic road-worthyness check. While they're hooking the hose up to your pipe, and rolling your ride onto the dyno; they're also making a cursory check of your undercarriage (what do you think those large mirrors on the long "s" shaped poles are for?), and checking how well your car brakes.
And speaking of brakes...mine are SHOT.
It's mostly the trouble I've had finding parts. Not a single auto-parts store in my neighborhood seems to have rotors for my vehicle. They all say the same thing;"we'd have to send out-of-province for those". Finally I found an online dealer in Washington state that not only has them in stock, he can ship them for only 125% of what the parts actually COST. I've also found a place that can sell me generic replacement suspension bushings...IF I can tell them what size they are.
sheesh.
Then there's the fact that I don't have time to be shoulder deep in my car...'cause I'm shoulder deep in Grant's car...
Grant's '96 cavalier started leaking coolant underneath the head.
Gee, where have we heard this story before?
We got the head pulled on Saturday...only to find that the machine shop was closed...and again on Monday. I finally had to take the head to WHALLEY...to get it machined. Will have the engine re-assembled and out of here by Friday...I hope. Needs some other parts too, as all GM's of that age seem to...Grant might just be best off to sell the car...once it's running ok again.
What else? I bought a laptop with the money I *was* going to spend on a bike-motor. Then I got another laptop and a P2 desktop for free from Craigslist. I still have the other P2 I built for Colin, as well.
Time to build me another Linux box.
I gave Colin my old desktop, as this new laptop (upon which I am currently writing this entry) has about the same capabilities...but is conveniently travel sized. It even has wireless! Good thing we upgraded the router so the Wii could connect via its wi-fi.
Anyways...the upshot of all this is:
Grant's car is sitting in pieces in my driveway.
I have a laptop and two desktop PC's sitting in pieces in my kitchen.
I myself...am just going to pieces.
...and the agony of de feet.
Hmmm...where to begin?
Oy, with the feet again. I'm still finding the odd arachnid around the place. Nothing poisonous, I am pleased to report.
Countdown time!
L found a job with Shoppers DrugMart HomeMedics. She'll be getting her first paycheque in about two weeks.
This would be a perfect time to begin the last stage of our separation: financial.
I move mine to another bank.
We sign a separation agreement on child support payments and other issues.
I start saving up to get myself a REAL LIFE...'cause living in a basement sucks.
In due course...we file for divorce. I could be free by next Christmas. Heck, I could be free by this Christmas if I wanted to push the "infidelity" button...but I think not.
Let's take the high road here.
Speaking of roadworthy...my car isn't.
Has it been six months already? My insur is up for renewal at the end of Sept., and I also got a notice that "the heap" will need an AirCare inspection before then.
It's engine runs fine...but I don't think I'm going to pass...
What a lot of people don't realize is that when AirCare was first instituted, under the SoCred government...they had first tried to introduce mandatory vehicle inspections. Just like California had...the idea got shot down, and so an "emissions only" test was set up instead.
However...make no mistake, AirCare is not *only* about emissions...it's also a basic road-worthyness check. While they're hooking the hose up to your pipe, and rolling your ride onto the dyno; they're also making a cursory check of your undercarriage (what do you think those large mirrors on the long "s" shaped poles are for?), and checking how well your car brakes.
And speaking of brakes...mine are SHOT.
It's mostly the trouble I've had finding parts. Not a single auto-parts store in my neighborhood seems to have rotors for my vehicle. They all say the same thing;"we'd have to send out-of-province for those". Finally I found an online dealer in Washington state that not only has them in stock, he can ship them for only 125% of what the parts actually COST. I've also found a place that can sell me generic replacement suspension bushings...IF I can tell them what size they are.
sheesh.
Then there's the fact that I don't have time to be shoulder deep in my car...'cause I'm shoulder deep in Grant's car...
Grant's '96 cavalier started leaking coolant underneath the head.
Gee, where have we heard this story before?
We got the head pulled on Saturday...only to find that the machine shop was closed...and again on Monday. I finally had to take the head to WHALLEY...to get it machined. Will have the engine re-assembled and out of here by Friday...I hope. Needs some other parts too, as all GM's of that age seem to...Grant might just be best off to sell the car...once it's running ok again.
What else? I bought a laptop with the money I *was* going to spend on a bike-motor. Then I got another laptop and a P2 desktop for free from Craigslist. I still have the other P2 I built for Colin, as well.
Time to build me another Linux box.
I gave Colin my old desktop, as this new laptop (upon which I am currently writing this entry) has about the same capabilities...but is conveniently travel sized. It even has wireless! Good thing we upgraded the router so the Wii could connect via its wi-fi.
Anyways...the upshot of all this is:
Grant's car is sitting in pieces in my driveway.
I have a laptop and two desktop PC's sitting in pieces in my kitchen.
I myself...am just going to pieces.
Saturday, August 02, 2008
Let me tell you about my achilles heel.
Spiders.
I'm not afraid of them.
I'm just prone to injury if I get bit by one.
I mentioned in a post dated Sept. 8, 2004, that I had lost ten days work to an injury that had occurred several years before. I also mentioned being admitted to Royal Columbian Hospital for day surgery. The surgery was necessary to remove some necrotic tissue from my right knee.
Spiders.
I'm not afraid of them.
I'm just prone to injury if I get bit by one.
I mentioned in a post dated Sept. 8, 2004, that I had lost ten days work to an injury that had occurred several years before. I also mentioned being admitted to Royal Columbian Hospital for day surgery. The surgery was necessary to remove some necrotic tissue from my right knee.
All this was caused by a spider bite. I got bit while laying on the couch in our apartment in New Westminster. The bite itself was painless, and didn't show signs of infection or even inflammation until a day later. By day four, an intramuscular blood clot had developed and my leg swelled up like a party balloon. By day seven I could barely walk and hobbled my way down to the clinic on Columbia st. to see if there was anything they could do for me.
They gave me oral antibiotics. Didn't help much.
By day nine, the clinic MD determined that if the wound were lanced, it would probably help the pain and fever I was then experiencing. It sure did, and by the amount of discharge the MD was fairly sure that I needed more assistance than the clinic was able to give me. A call was placed to Royal Columbian, and the vascular specialist who saw me scheduled me for an immediate exploratory. So, under general anesthesia, the good Dr. and his assistant dug some dead tissue out of the middle of the wound, and then packed it open for a few days. I still have the scar.
A week or so after I had started to heal...I found one of these crawling out from under the couch where I'd been bit. It's a tegenaria domestica. The Common House Spider.
Although they don't often bite, Wikipedia informs me that when they do bite, it can be "unpleasant". Uh-huh, especially if you don't do anything about it for several days.
Although they don't often bite, Wikipedia informs me that when they do bite, it can be "unpleasant". Uh-huh, especially if you don't do anything about it for several days.Now lemme tell you what happened last month.
I went on vacation the week of July 13. My friend Mark Bell was delivering telephone books in Ladner and Tswassen as a fundraiser with the young men of our church congregation. He needed some help and another vehicle; preferably a van. I had the time off, and my Eagle Summit Wagon is almost a van; so I volunteered my time. Sometime wednesday afternoon, I got bit by one of these:
That is a tegenaria agrestis, more commonly known as a Hobo Spider.
That is a tegenaria agrestis, more commonly known as a Hobo Spider.How do I know?
Well, first of all, they're fairly common around here. Second, they're an outdoors type and are found in places like hedges, around gardens, planters, and the like. I had been tromping around a lot of that kind of territory while delivering the books with the boys in Ladner.
In fact, I assumed that Ladner was where I got bit. That is, of course, until...
I FOUND ONE IN MY KITCHEN!!!
Looked just like the picture. Coincidence? I think not!
The Hobo Spider is known to be venemous. This time 'round, the damage took only 4 days. I got myself to the ER at Delta Hospital sunday night. I had an immediate IV treatment with heavy-duty antibiotics and was poked for blood cultures and given a tetanus booster. I felt like a pincushion. They left the IV in my hand (having badly bruised me trying to find a vein in my arm - I hate needles!) and I had nine more treatments over the next five days. Got lanced on day two, and once again had the wound packed open. That was fast. Was switched to oral antibiotics on friday and by today I am pretty much healed up. The scab still hasn't fallen off yet. Where did I get bit, you ask? On the ankle...right leg. Again.
I hate getting stuck with needles. Did I mention that already?
Both species are from the tegenaria genus of funnel-web spiders. Apparently, I'm somehow sensitive to bites from these critters. However, as a nurse at the Delta Hospital ER happens to have a similar sensitivity, I now know what to DO when I get bit...and waiting a few days is not part of the action plan.
Ah me...
Much has happened since I showed off my culinary leanings.
Sorry folks, some time has gone by since I last posted...like the entire month of July.
L is dating. I'm subsidizing it. This sucks.
I believe the happy couple are at the six month mark. I'm guessing the novelty will wear off soon for L. Or perhaps I'm just a little bitter.
Coral wanted to watch a couple of DVD's today with her daddy. The first one was fine but the second was an archive copy uncle Kevin made and my DVD player couldn't cope with it. I asked her where the other DVD player from the playroom was...
"It's at Roger's house".
Hmmmm. Perhaps Roger ought to buy his own DVD player? While he's at it, how about buying his own car? Then, at least, my wife wouldn't feel the need to keep ferrying him around in our car which I bought.
L doesn't seem to be in any hurry to get a separation agreement in place. By this November, I will have gone one year living with all of the obligations and responsibilities of a married family man.
With none of the benefits or privileges.
If, as my wife stridently claims, we are no longer man and wife; then why is she still spending MY income and MY credit on her social life? She really ought to be standing on her own; financially speaking.
She is making some effort towards that financial independence.
I just wish she'd hurry it up a little.
I figure we can still file joint taxes for this year...and afterward, we'll see about making a clean break financially. That one year mark I mentioned is looming large in my mind. I think it's time to get that separation agreement laid out; whether she feels ready to do so or not.
Much has happened since I showed off my culinary leanings.
Sorry folks, some time has gone by since I last posted...like the entire month of July.
L is dating. I'm subsidizing it. This sucks.
I believe the happy couple are at the six month mark. I'm guessing the novelty will wear off soon for L. Or perhaps I'm just a little bitter.
Coral wanted to watch a couple of DVD's today with her daddy. The first one was fine but the second was an archive copy uncle Kevin made and my DVD player couldn't cope with it. I asked her where the other DVD player from the playroom was...
"It's at Roger's house".
Hmmmm. Perhaps Roger ought to buy his own DVD player? While he's at it, how about buying his own car? Then, at least, my wife wouldn't feel the need to keep ferrying him around in our car which I bought.
L doesn't seem to be in any hurry to get a separation agreement in place. By this November, I will have gone one year living with all of the obligations and responsibilities of a married family man.
With none of the benefits or privileges.
If, as my wife stridently claims, we are no longer man and wife; then why is she still spending MY income and MY credit on her social life? She really ought to be standing on her own; financially speaking.
She is making some effort towards that financial independence.
I just wish she'd hurry it up a little.
I figure we can still file joint taxes for this year...and afterward, we'll see about making a clean break financially. That one year mark I mentioned is looming large in my mind. I think it's time to get that separation agreement laid out; whether she feels ready to do so or not.
Monday, June 16, 2008
Dollar Store Stew:
1 kg pack of stew beef, fresh or thawed.
1 - 2 Can dollar store potatoes. The "pearl" kind that are golf-ball sized chunks of pre-cooked, peeled potatoes
1 Can dollar store carrots
1 Can dollar store cut green beans
1 Can dollar store kernel corn (niblet style, not creamed corn).
Salt/pepper/taco spice, whatever you have.
Ketchup
Steak sauce.
Fill a large pot (4 to 6 litre) about 3/4ths full of water. Add salt, pepper, spices, and beef. If the beef chunks are larger than about 3 cm square, cut them into smaller pieces (I use scissors). Bring to boil. Reduce heat and add a few shakes of ketchup (no, I'm not kidding) and the steak sauce...heck, shake in some tabasco if you crave a little adventure! Now leave the lid of the pot slightly askew so the steam can escape, but not too open or the pot won't stay hot. Simmer 2-3 hours, stirring every 30 minutes, or whenever you remember to, doesn't really matter. Just don't let the pot boil over! When the liquid level in the pot is down to about half, add the canned veggies and potatoes. Simmer for another 30 mins to an hour, stirring once or twice to make sure everything mixes well, and that the liquid level doesn't get too low (all the contents should be covered in liquid, but you don't want to be making soup). Serve with your favorite bread product.
1 kg pack of stew beef, fresh or thawed.
1 - 2 Can dollar store potatoes. The "pearl" kind that are golf-ball sized chunks of pre-cooked, peeled potatoes
1 Can dollar store carrots
1 Can dollar store cut green beans
1 Can dollar store kernel corn (niblet style, not creamed corn).
Salt/pepper/taco spice, whatever you have.
Ketchup
Steak sauce.
Fill a large pot (4 to 6 litre) about 3/4ths full of water. Add salt, pepper, spices, and beef. If the beef chunks are larger than about 3 cm square, cut them into smaller pieces (I use scissors). Bring to boil. Reduce heat and add a few shakes of ketchup (no, I'm not kidding) and the steak sauce...heck, shake in some tabasco if you crave a little adventure! Now leave the lid of the pot slightly askew so the steam can escape, but not too open or the pot won't stay hot. Simmer 2-3 hours, stirring every 30 minutes, or whenever you remember to, doesn't really matter. Just don't let the pot boil over! When the liquid level in the pot is down to about half, add the canned veggies and potatoes. Simmer for another 30 mins to an hour, stirring once or twice to make sure everything mixes well, and that the liquid level doesn't get too low (all the contents should be covered in liquid, but you don't want to be making soup). Serve with your favorite bread product.
Saturday, June 07, 2008
Last Saturday...I spent SIX HOURS on the back lawn. I put FOURTEEN bags of grass clippings to the curb; I had to, that week was "yard waste pickup" in Delta.
Our tax dollars at work. Delta Corp. used to pick up once a month, in season. Now it's every two weeks.
I assumed that as I had only left the lawn to grow for two weeks, that a normal mowing would take three hours and produce seven bags of clippings.
I guess I left it longer than I thought; I finished in 90 mins, and the clippings were only one-and-a-half bags. It was (comparatively) easy.
All I have to do now to enjoy this level of ease in mowing the back is continue to do so EVERY SINGLE WEEK. As the weather is somewhat variable here in the lower drainland, this means I have to mow the lawn sometime between Wednesday and Saturday of a given week...as soon as it is clear and dry enough to do so. I'll be watching the skies.
Marv Walling. What a guy.
He has me doing some web research for him, subject: Hydrogen Power.
Marv has the idear to build a Large Scale Electrolysis Cell...and use the output to feed a homebuilt gas-powered generator. Object: to start selling power back to BC Hydro. Hmmm. Good luck with that.
There is a LOT of mahooha on the subjects of free energy and hydrogen power on the 'net. Finding the Real Deal thru all the noise has been something of a chore. Of course, I first had to overcome my own skepticism.
Current Scientific opinion will tell you that hydrogen is NOT a viable fuel. "It's an energy storage medium...not an actual source of energy." In short, there is NO WAY you could produce enough energy burning hydrogen to offset the energy cost in producing the hydrogen in the first place. Michael Faraday's experiments on electrolysis began in 1834. There have been some improvements in the field of electrochemistry since that time. The scientific community has, at present, no interest in re-opening the subject of water electrolysis.
So...it's been up to the tinkerers.
Currently, the bright stars on the hydrogen powered horizon have been the Booster Cell; a small-scale electrolysis cell that can be installed on an average car and produce enough disassociated hydrogen and oxygen gas (from distilled water) to reduce the engine's fuel consumption somewhat. Claims of 20% to 25% increase in fuel economy have been made. Then there is the late Stan Meyer, who claimed to have invented a very special type of inline electrolyser that delivered hydrogen and oxygen gasses at the cylinder port; to that point, what had flowed into his "injectors" was water. Stan Meyer suffered an untimely death, and it is reported that his workshop was burglarised shortly afterward and all notes, plans, and prototypes were taken. There have been a few others since Stan to claim to have come up with a similar gadget, or even to have duplicated his work. I can make neither head nor tails of any of their documentation, or even their claims.
The third bright star I found was Bob Boyce. Bob Boyce built a Large Scale Electrolysis Cell because logic told him that if a small cell could provide a supplement to the fuel feed of a gasoline-powered engine, then a larger cell could actually fuel the car. It's not really that easy, of course, and the finished product (took several years of tinkering to perfect it) is a pretty sophisticated piece of engineering. There are also a few caveats: an ordinary gasoline-powered internal combustion engine is NOT designed to burn hydrogen...not for long, at any rate. The combustion temperature and the nature of the detonation effects of hydrogen are different enough from the expected gasoline vapor/air mix that any un-modified engine will quickly break down.
But it's do-able...and Marv says he already has an engine that's been modified to run on propane gas. It would need some further modification for running on hydrogen...but not nearly as much as a gasoline-powered engine.
Hmmmm. He might be able to pull this off. I hope I'm there to see it.
Finally, I offer a couple of departure points, if you feel like taking a look yourself:
www.waterpoweredcar.com - has some good links, and some not so good ones. Has some info on Stan Meyer's "water fueled" dune buggy.
http://pesn.com/2007/01/08/9500445_Bob_Boyce_Electrolyzer_Plans/
A page from the Pure Energy Systems Network. Not as wacko as other "free energy" sites, and they have a 43-page .pdf document on the theory and practical set-up of Bob Boyce's Large Scale Electrolyzer.
Our tax dollars at work. Delta Corp. used to pick up once a month, in season. Now it's every two weeks.
I assumed that as I had only left the lawn to grow for two weeks, that a normal mowing would take three hours and produce seven bags of clippings.
I guess I left it longer than I thought; I finished in 90 mins, and the clippings were only one-and-a-half bags. It was (comparatively) easy.
All I have to do now to enjoy this level of ease in mowing the back is continue to do so EVERY SINGLE WEEK. As the weather is somewhat variable here in the lower drainland, this means I have to mow the lawn sometime between Wednesday and Saturday of a given week...as soon as it is clear and dry enough to do so. I'll be watching the skies.
Marv Walling. What a guy.
He has me doing some web research for him, subject: Hydrogen Power.
Marv has the idear to build a Large Scale Electrolysis Cell...and use the output to feed a homebuilt gas-powered generator. Object: to start selling power back to BC Hydro. Hmmm. Good luck with that.
There is a LOT of mahooha on the subjects of free energy and hydrogen power on the 'net. Finding the Real Deal thru all the noise has been something of a chore. Of course, I first had to overcome my own skepticism.
Current Scientific opinion will tell you that hydrogen is NOT a viable fuel. "It's an energy storage medium...not an actual source of energy." In short, there is NO WAY you could produce enough energy burning hydrogen to offset the energy cost in producing the hydrogen in the first place. Michael Faraday's experiments on electrolysis began in 1834. There have been some improvements in the field of electrochemistry since that time. The scientific community has, at present, no interest in re-opening the subject of water electrolysis.
So...it's been up to the tinkerers.
Currently, the bright stars on the hydrogen powered horizon have been the Booster Cell; a small-scale electrolysis cell that can be installed on an average car and produce enough disassociated hydrogen and oxygen gas (from distilled water) to reduce the engine's fuel consumption somewhat. Claims of 20% to 25% increase in fuel economy have been made. Then there is the late Stan Meyer, who claimed to have invented a very special type of inline electrolyser that delivered hydrogen and oxygen gasses at the cylinder port; to that point, what had flowed into his "injectors" was water. Stan Meyer suffered an untimely death, and it is reported that his workshop was burglarised shortly afterward and all notes, plans, and prototypes were taken. There have been a few others since Stan to claim to have come up with a similar gadget, or even to have duplicated his work. I can make neither head nor tails of any of their documentation, or even their claims.
The third bright star I found was Bob Boyce. Bob Boyce built a Large Scale Electrolysis Cell because logic told him that if a small cell could provide a supplement to the fuel feed of a gasoline-powered engine, then a larger cell could actually fuel the car. It's not really that easy, of course, and the finished product (took several years of tinkering to perfect it) is a pretty sophisticated piece of engineering. There are also a few caveats: an ordinary gasoline-powered internal combustion engine is NOT designed to burn hydrogen...not for long, at any rate. The combustion temperature and the nature of the detonation effects of hydrogen are different enough from the expected gasoline vapor/air mix that any un-modified engine will quickly break down.
But it's do-able...and Marv says he already has an engine that's been modified to run on propane gas. It would need some further modification for running on hydrogen...but not nearly as much as a gasoline-powered engine.
Hmmmm. He might be able to pull this off. I hope I'm there to see it.
Finally, I offer a couple of departure points, if you feel like taking a look yourself:
www.waterpoweredcar.com - has some good links, and some not so good ones. Has some info on Stan Meyer's "water fueled" dune buggy.
http://pesn.com/2007/01/08/9500445_Bob_Boyce_Electrolyzer_Plans/
A page from the Pure Energy Systems Network. Not as wacko as other "free energy" sites, and they have a 43-page .pdf document on the theory and practical set-up of Bob Boyce's Large Scale Electrolyzer.
Sunday, June 01, 2008
I want a canoe.
Here I am, living within a few miles of False Creek, the Fraser River and the Ocean fer cryin' out loud...and I don't even own a boat.
Spotted a canoe club on Craigslist that looks like it might be fun.
I am adjusting to "single" life. L and I aren't even "legally separated" yet. Of course, there is no such state as "legal separation" in BC, but you can and ought to have a separation agreement. Terms of this agreement include payment of child/spousal support and separation of residences and finances.
That last would be the snag in the process. L cannot afford to live the life we're living without access to 100% of my income, apparently. Of course the "we" is her and the kids. She just can't do the separate bank account thing until she's got her Financial Independence. That comes with the Good Job she'll be getting in the future to replace the "hobby" job she has at the moment with BC lotto. Unfortunately, this hypothetical future keeps getting pushed further and further ahead. The course she has to have next won't be open until next January! Then there will be another course and then...well, you get the idea. The course she's already taken in medical terminology (and did very well at) by itself is apparently not enough to get the Good Job, or at least, not a Good Job that she's interested in.
I remind myself that she supported my unemployed ass for 3 months when we were first married. This meant that after the honeymoon, I endured constant nagging until I got a job - "ANY job!!!"
Well, 14 years later, and I'm still at that same job. I actually interviewed for HBC in Dec. '93, shortly after our return from Florida, but the new DC wasn't open for business until Feb. '94.
Now, she declared us "un-married" on or about Nov. 20 of last year. This means that I have been subsidizing her under-employed ass for about the last six months. Shortly after she dropped the "D-bomb" I proposed a separation agreement regarding our finances: we take our 3000$ net combined monthly income and divide it down the middle. This meant me giving her about 900$ per month in child and "other" support. Bills would be divided in half.
Sounds fair, doesn't it?
L didn't go for it. So...here we are still married - "on paper" - and she's dating Roger. I'm kinda wondering when she'll be moving in with Roger - or when Roger will be moving in here...
Speaking of subsidies...80 cents of every dollar she spends was earned by me. I have no problem subsidizing her education...but it REALLY chaps my hide to be susidizing her social life. I kinda wish she'd grow up and pay for her dates with her OWN money.
I suspect adultery...which is not illegal in BC, and has no bearing on the separation/divorce process. Might bear some consideration in a custody hearing; should there be one in the future.
I need some legal advice. Soon.
Here I am, living within a few miles of False Creek, the Fraser River and the Ocean fer cryin' out loud...and I don't even own a boat.
Spotted a canoe club on Craigslist that looks like it might be fun.
I am adjusting to "single" life. L and I aren't even "legally separated" yet. Of course, there is no such state as "legal separation" in BC, but you can and ought to have a separation agreement. Terms of this agreement include payment of child/spousal support and separation of residences and finances.
That last would be the snag in the process. L cannot afford to live the life we're living without access to 100% of my income, apparently. Of course the "we" is her and the kids. She just can't do the separate bank account thing until she's got her Financial Independence. That comes with the Good Job she'll be getting in the future to replace the "hobby" job she has at the moment with BC lotto. Unfortunately, this hypothetical future keeps getting pushed further and further ahead. The course she has to have next won't be open until next January! Then there will be another course and then...well, you get the idea. The course she's already taken in medical terminology (and did very well at) by itself is apparently not enough to get the Good Job, or at least, not a Good Job that she's interested in.
I remind myself that she supported my unemployed ass for 3 months when we were first married. This meant that after the honeymoon, I endured constant nagging until I got a job - "ANY job!!!"
Well, 14 years later, and I'm still at that same job. I actually interviewed for HBC in Dec. '93, shortly after our return from Florida, but the new DC wasn't open for business until Feb. '94.
Now, she declared us "un-married" on or about Nov. 20 of last year. This means that I have been subsidizing her under-employed ass for about the last six months. Shortly after she dropped the "D-bomb" I proposed a separation agreement regarding our finances: we take our 3000$ net combined monthly income and divide it down the middle. This meant me giving her about 900$ per month in child and "other" support. Bills would be divided in half.
Sounds fair, doesn't it?
L didn't go for it. So...here we are still married - "on paper" - and she's dating Roger. I'm kinda wondering when she'll be moving in with Roger - or when Roger will be moving in here...
Speaking of subsidies...80 cents of every dollar she spends was earned by me. I have no problem subsidizing her education...but it REALLY chaps my hide to be susidizing her social life. I kinda wish she'd grow up and pay for her dates with her OWN money.
I suspect adultery...which is not illegal in BC, and has no bearing on the separation/divorce process. Might bear some consideration in a custody hearing; should there be one in the future.
I need some legal advice. Soon.
Monday, May 12, 2008
I just saw Iron Man...
Wow!
'Twas apt casting to have Robert Downey Jr. portray the flawed and complex Tony Stark. Mr. Downey has some personal experience with character flaws.
This one role could re-make his movie career.
I must say; kudos and props to the producers of this film. It's a sci-fi premise, and they knew if they were going to "hook" the tech-savvy sci-fi geeks out there, they would have to get the details right.
Comic books don't have to go into details, that's what imagination is for. Comic books just have to look pretty.
Movies must have details, they must have nuances...otherwise, the audience will be un-willing to suspend disbelief long enough to be drawn into the story.
I was delighted to see that such details as articulated control surfaces were included in the flight sequences of the film. After all, it's all well and good for the comic book to go "whoooosh!", etc. But in a movie you gotta ask; "ok, it's gonna fly -- how is it gonna fly?" They went with the man-in-a-missile approach and had the suit fly ballistically...but how's it gonna maneuver? Control surfaces, of course. Glee!
I was actually drawn into the interactions between the principle characters to a degree that I'm already anticipating what's next for Tony, Pepper Potts, Rhodey, and Christine. Ought to be interesting.
Wow!
'Twas apt casting to have Robert Downey Jr. portray the flawed and complex Tony Stark. Mr. Downey has some personal experience with character flaws.
This one role could re-make his movie career.
I must say; kudos and props to the producers of this film. It's a sci-fi premise, and they knew if they were going to "hook" the tech-savvy sci-fi geeks out there, they would have to get the details right.
Comic books don't have to go into details, that's what imagination is for. Comic books just have to look pretty.
Movies must have details, they must have nuances...otherwise, the audience will be un-willing to suspend disbelief long enough to be drawn into the story.
I was delighted to see that such details as articulated control surfaces were included in the flight sequences of the film. After all, it's all well and good for the comic book to go "whoooosh!", etc. But in a movie you gotta ask; "ok, it's gonna fly -- how is it gonna fly?" They went with the man-in-a-missile approach and had the suit fly ballistically...but how's it gonna maneuver? Control surfaces, of course. Glee!
I was actually drawn into the interactions between the principle characters to a degree that I'm already anticipating what's next for Tony, Pepper Potts, Rhodey, and Christine. Ought to be interesting.
Wednesday, April 30, 2008
According to Robot Chicken...there are five stages in coping with loss. Denial. Anger. Depression. Bargaining. Finally; acceptance.
I'm about through the bargaining phase and heading on toward acceptance, so I think I can talk about this now.
Laurie asked for a divorce. She dropped the "D-bomb" last november, about two weeks after we had come home from vacation to find our basement full of water. She offers no excuses, as such, except to say that the confluence of stress from the vacation, stress from the flood, and her general un-happiness with our marriage seemed to all fall upon her at once. I sensed she was unhappy, had been for some time; but had no idea she was that unhappy.
When your spouse of nearly 14 years tells you that your marriage is over and you are never, never, never going to be man and wife again...well; those blinders you're supposed to wear when you're married to someone? They sort of come off.
Laurie was "looking for an exit" for some time. I have to admit it: so was I.
Let's get my baggage out of the way first:
In 14 years of marriage, I have been sleeping on our living room couch (or an air mattress on the floor) for about 12 of those years. She kicked me out of our "marriage bed" about six months into her first pregnancy. She HAD to get some sleep, and I snored way too loudly. Why this did not bother her before and why she couldn't use simple remedies (she snores too, but I learned how to sleep with earplugs in) that didn't involve me sleeping on the opposite end of the house; I don't know. I am living in our newly re-furbished basement suite, and sleeping on a bed now for the first time in 12 years. Check entries involving "flood" for the backstory on that.
Laurie was in and out of the Church all during those 14 years. We didn't pay tithe or offerings for most of them. I stopped attending too for awhile, which is not her fault. I let my temple recommend lapse, as I didn't see any good of my seizing the financial reins and going ahead and paying tithes and offerings anyway; over her objections. Primary reason we didn't pay tithes was not because Laurie objected. It was because we're living a lifestyle that my income alone cannot support...and we really did need that extra money.
Do the math:
3 bedroom 2 level with attached garage, workshop and finished basement with 3 room suite. Currently valued (somewhat conservatively) at 450,000$ (that's the land, not the house), taxes and fees at @ 1500$+ anually. Monthly expenses at 2000$ +. This is all on a gross income of less than 44,000$. Net was less than 30,000 - or, in other words...below the poverty line. Gives new meaning to "the working poor", huh? 2 cars in the driveway (held off on that one until it became necessary this year), appliances up to date, kids in bi-weekly activities (also fairly recent) at 300$ per month. Kids requiring medications at about 100$ per month. Then there's the dog...
How did we do it? Seriously, how? I don't know...
Laurie couldn't get a job until recently because our kids needed a stay-at-home Mom. That is fact. The job she got is more of a "hobby job" as her income isn't sufficient for her boss to withhold taxes on. To her credit, she's doing all she can to get a real job now. I just really wish this desire to be financially independent had come along years earlier. Her solution to us having insufficient income to support our lifestyle? Me. As in ME - working more overtime. "Brian must work harder!"...
Nope...wasn't going to go there. That was her mom's solution. To his credit, Bob Dallman (her dad) did indeed work very hard all his life...he's earned his retirement. He literally busted his ass to get there. The diabetes and anger management issues go along with the back troubles and all together his example convinced me that I did NOT want to end up like that; when my working life was finally over.
I appreciate that Laurie wanted to give her children a good life; just as Laurie's own parents had given her and her siblings. But it's much more expensive to do that now...especially on one (blue collar) income. I don't regret being a (sort of) homeowner...but looking at it realistically? We can't afford it and never could, on my income alone. We could have rented longer. We could have moved to another province where the cost of living was lower. Laurie could have got a part-time job earlier on once we got the house. None of these were viable options for her. She refused any compromise.
Oh yes, I could have got a better job...
I did try to do so, on several occaisions. There were certain criteria that had to be satisfied: It could NOT involve moving out of the Lower Mainland. It could NOT involve me going back to school (full or part time)and Laurie supporting us (full or part time) for a while. It could NOT pay less than I presently earned, even for a few months. When the economic boom started in Alberta a few years ago and my friend Keith moved his family out there - gaining a better job and at the same time wiping out all their debts - we again discussed moving there. If I could have found decent employment - and I could have - there were a few advantages to living there: lower taxes, lower cost of living, etc.
Laurie wouldn't hear of it; "You are NOT quitting your job and starting over somewhere else! Not when I've stuck with you all these years! Not when you're finally beginning to pay out"...
I don't think she meant to say that last part aloud...
That's probably the coldest thing anyone has ever said to me.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Okay...now that I'm done beating up on her...let's beat up on me next.
I wasn't the greatest husband in the world. Surprised?
Let me give a couple of examples:
Our second daughter, Caitlin, was born very premature. The longer she was in the natal ICU, the less optimistic the doctor became about her chances for survival. On what proved to be Caitlin's last night alive, Laurie had phoned to tell me not to tie up the house phone by going on the internet (this was in the days of dial-up)...and I forgot.
The RCMP showed up at our door at about 9PM (I think) to tell me that because I couldn't be reached by phone, they had been sent to tell me in person that my wife really NEEDED to talk to me.
It turned out, that evening the hospital had asked Laurie to decide whether or not to continue to keep Caitlin on life support...and she had to make that decision alone. I forgot, and because I forgot, I wasn't there. I was supposed to be there...She held our daughter in her arms and watched her die...and she wanted me - needed me - there to support her. I wasn't there.
I will never live that down. Laurie will never forget it...
Let's shorten this a little: I was never suffciently "involved" in my kids' lives, I never did enough maintenance around the house (and it really shows...I really would rather have rented). My inappropriate behaviours in public embarrassed her. I spent money foolishly (this may be a family trait, my Dad hasn't had much luck with money until recently). I had no style, no ambition, and we had nothing in common, apart from the house and the kids. Do I hear the term lazy in there somewhere? And I snored loudly; shake-the-walls loudly. Still do.
Guilty as charged on all the above counts.
Lastly, and most recently, I was smacked in the face with the fact that I can be a REALLY big jerk.
My neice Shayla sent me a wonderful little post on my FaceBook funwall. It was a YouTube video clip of Pastor Marc Gungor's lecture "Men's Brains - Women's Brains". Very funny, and very true. I surfed over to the website of the Church that Pastor Gungor serves in and had a look around. From there I found the page of another minister who has been a marriage counselor with over 20 years successful practise in the state of California. He's written a book - an excerpt of which I found on Amazon.
That's where I got smacked in the face with the unpleasant truth. According to this book, there are things you should never say to your spouse; as these things are guaranteed to break down any meaningful communication in your marriage. The one that caught my eye was; "What do YOU want me to do? YOU figure it out! YOU tell me what I should do!".
I had said almost exactly that to Laurie the last time we argued...which was also the last time we really talked to each other (well, until very recently).
"What do you want me to do???!"
She answered correctly (and diplomatically, and without raising her voice); "I don't know."
Then, just to be a REAL ass, I added; "We've been married over 10 years, I thought you would have figured SOMEthing out by now!"
Wow. Shutting down communication isn't enough, I have to be abusive and insulting too.
Crap.
Not fun to be confronted with the truth: marriages break down due to lack of communication...and whether conciously or not (I would like to believe not) I've been shutting down communication between us. Stupid, right?
Well, it may be too late to save this marriage. But I'm still reading up on how to make a good one. I may decide to take another swing at it in the future. I knew nothing about how to make a marriage work. Never bothered to learn.
This brings me to Jody. Jody is a Christian. He's a very sincere and devout Christian. He's a very sincere and devout and perhaps even a little uptight Christian...and he heard about my troubled marriage. Of course, he heard about it because I pissed and moaned about it to anyone at work who would listen; this was before I realised the breakup was partly (mostly?) MY fault. I've shut up about it since. Damage is done, oh well.
Jody lent me "The Marriage Book" by Nick and Sila Lee. I've read it through a couple of times now and come to realise there was a basic misunderstanding between Laurie and myself almost from the very beginning of our marriage. This is only a pet theory, but it fits what I've observed about us so far. Without going into details, the misunderstanding has caused us both to each impute to the other very unflattering motives for what we've been unhappiest about in the marriage.
Let's make this simple:
Laurie stands there and says; "It's all about SEX with you!"
I stand here and say; "It's all about MONEY with you!"
And we're both wrong.
Neither of us has been willing, since the beginning, to try to understand the real motives behind those accusations. Okay, I'm willing now (better late than never), but it may be too late. Firstly, it's just a pet theory, and secondly, I don't think telling Laurie about it would help. This assumes that she would listen, and that she would accept it. Plus, knowing the problem and knowing how to fix it are two separate issues. If she did listen, and if we did decide to try to fix our marriage...we would need some serious professional help. I'm clueless about what to do with what I've learned. I don't even know where to start.
So...to wrap up.
Laurie is dating Roger. Thus far it's a platonic relationship (so I'm told), and Laurie has said that she has to be very careful, as she is *not* ready for another serious relationship. We're living apart (me downstairs and her upstairs), but both doing what's needed to take care of the kids. She's got a line on a good job and I may be taking an afternoon shift at work so someone is home in the mornings to see the kids off to school. Once the job goes through, she wants us to begin to separate our incomes and assets and start paying our own bills. Then we move on filing for a simple, mutually agreed, no-fault divorce. At some point we'll have to dispose of the house, but she's willing to wait until one or the other of us is remarried (or "in a committed relationship") to do so. Frankly, we both agree that it would be weird to be living with the new fiance or spouse and having the ex living in the same house. Besides, the kids like it here and we really ought to wait as long as we can before we uproot them.
Laurie says she doesn't hate me...she just doesn't want to live with me any more. I believe her.
I'm about through the bargaining phase and heading on toward acceptance, so I think I can talk about this now.
Laurie asked for a divorce. She dropped the "D-bomb" last november, about two weeks after we had come home from vacation to find our basement full of water. She offers no excuses, as such, except to say that the confluence of stress from the vacation, stress from the flood, and her general un-happiness with our marriage seemed to all fall upon her at once. I sensed she was unhappy, had been for some time; but had no idea she was that unhappy.
When your spouse of nearly 14 years tells you that your marriage is over and you are never, never, never going to be man and wife again...well; those blinders you're supposed to wear when you're married to someone? They sort of come off.
Laurie was "looking for an exit" for some time. I have to admit it: so was I.
Let's get my baggage out of the way first:
In 14 years of marriage, I have been sleeping on our living room couch (or an air mattress on the floor) for about 12 of those years. She kicked me out of our "marriage bed" about six months into her first pregnancy. She HAD to get some sleep, and I snored way too loudly. Why this did not bother her before and why she couldn't use simple remedies (she snores too, but I learned how to sleep with earplugs in) that didn't involve me sleeping on the opposite end of the house; I don't know. I am living in our newly re-furbished basement suite, and sleeping on a bed now for the first time in 12 years. Check entries involving "flood" for the backstory on that.
Laurie was in and out of the Church all during those 14 years. We didn't pay tithe or offerings for most of them. I stopped attending too for awhile, which is not her fault. I let my temple recommend lapse, as I didn't see any good of my seizing the financial reins and going ahead and paying tithes and offerings anyway; over her objections. Primary reason we didn't pay tithes was not because Laurie objected. It was because we're living a lifestyle that my income alone cannot support...and we really did need that extra money.
Do the math:
3 bedroom 2 level with attached garage, workshop and finished basement with 3 room suite. Currently valued (somewhat conservatively) at 450,000$ (that's the land, not the house), taxes and fees at @ 1500$+ anually. Monthly expenses at 2000$ +. This is all on a gross income of less than 44,000$. Net was less than 30,000 - or, in other words...below the poverty line. Gives new meaning to "the working poor", huh? 2 cars in the driveway (held off on that one until it became necessary this year), appliances up to date, kids in bi-weekly activities (also fairly recent) at 300$ per month. Kids requiring medications at about 100$ per month. Then there's the dog...
How did we do it? Seriously, how? I don't know...
Laurie couldn't get a job until recently because our kids needed a stay-at-home Mom. That is fact. The job she got is more of a "hobby job" as her income isn't sufficient for her boss to withhold taxes on. To her credit, she's doing all she can to get a real job now. I just really wish this desire to be financially independent had come along years earlier. Her solution to us having insufficient income to support our lifestyle? Me. As in ME - working more overtime. "Brian must work harder!"...
Nope...wasn't going to go there. That was her mom's solution. To his credit, Bob Dallman (her dad) did indeed work very hard all his life...he's earned his retirement. He literally busted his ass to get there. The diabetes and anger management issues go along with the back troubles and all together his example convinced me that I did NOT want to end up like that; when my working life was finally over.
I appreciate that Laurie wanted to give her children a good life; just as Laurie's own parents had given her and her siblings. But it's much more expensive to do that now...especially on one (blue collar) income. I don't regret being a (sort of) homeowner...but looking at it realistically? We can't afford it and never could, on my income alone. We could have rented longer. We could have moved to another province where the cost of living was lower. Laurie could have got a part-time job earlier on once we got the house. None of these were viable options for her. She refused any compromise.
Oh yes, I could have got a better job...
I did try to do so, on several occaisions. There were certain criteria that had to be satisfied: It could NOT involve moving out of the Lower Mainland. It could NOT involve me going back to school (full or part time)and Laurie supporting us (full or part time) for a while. It could NOT pay less than I presently earned, even for a few months. When the economic boom started in Alberta a few years ago and my friend Keith moved his family out there - gaining a better job and at the same time wiping out all their debts - we again discussed moving there. If I could have found decent employment - and I could have - there were a few advantages to living there: lower taxes, lower cost of living, etc.
Laurie wouldn't hear of it; "You are NOT quitting your job and starting over somewhere else! Not when I've stuck with you all these years! Not when you're finally beginning to pay out"...
I don't think she meant to say that last part aloud...
That's probably the coldest thing anyone has ever said to me.
* * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * * *
Okay...now that I'm done beating up on her...let's beat up on me next.
I wasn't the greatest husband in the world. Surprised?
Let me give a couple of examples:
Our second daughter, Caitlin, was born very premature. The longer she was in the natal ICU, the less optimistic the doctor became about her chances for survival. On what proved to be Caitlin's last night alive, Laurie had phoned to tell me not to tie up the house phone by going on the internet (this was in the days of dial-up)...and I forgot.
The RCMP showed up at our door at about 9PM (I think) to tell me that because I couldn't be reached by phone, they had been sent to tell me in person that my wife really NEEDED to talk to me.
It turned out, that evening the hospital had asked Laurie to decide whether or not to continue to keep Caitlin on life support...and she had to make that decision alone. I forgot, and because I forgot, I wasn't there. I was supposed to be there...She held our daughter in her arms and watched her die...and she wanted me - needed me - there to support her. I wasn't there.
I will never live that down. Laurie will never forget it...
Let's shorten this a little: I was never suffciently "involved" in my kids' lives, I never did enough maintenance around the house (and it really shows...I really would rather have rented). My inappropriate behaviours in public embarrassed her. I spent money foolishly (this may be a family trait, my Dad hasn't had much luck with money until recently). I had no style, no ambition, and we had nothing in common, apart from the house and the kids. Do I hear the term lazy in there somewhere? And I snored loudly; shake-the-walls loudly. Still do.
Guilty as charged on all the above counts.
Lastly, and most recently, I was smacked in the face with the fact that I can be a REALLY big jerk.
My neice Shayla sent me a wonderful little post on my FaceBook funwall. It was a YouTube video clip of Pastor Marc Gungor's lecture "Men's Brains - Women's Brains". Very funny, and very true. I surfed over to the website of the Church that Pastor Gungor serves in and had a look around. From there I found the page of another minister who has been a marriage counselor with over 20 years successful practise in the state of California. He's written a book - an excerpt of which I found on Amazon.
That's where I got smacked in the face with the unpleasant truth. According to this book, there are things you should never say to your spouse; as these things are guaranteed to break down any meaningful communication in your marriage. The one that caught my eye was; "What do YOU want me to do? YOU figure it out! YOU tell me what I should do!".
I had said almost exactly that to Laurie the last time we argued...which was also the last time we really talked to each other (well, until very recently).
"What do you want me to do???!"
She answered correctly (and diplomatically, and without raising her voice); "I don't know."
Then, just to be a REAL ass, I added; "We've been married over 10 years, I thought you would have figured SOMEthing out by now!"
Wow. Shutting down communication isn't enough, I have to be abusive and insulting too.
Crap.
Not fun to be confronted with the truth: marriages break down due to lack of communication...and whether conciously or not (I would like to believe not) I've been shutting down communication between us. Stupid, right?
Well, it may be too late to save this marriage. But I'm still reading up on how to make a good one. I may decide to take another swing at it in the future. I knew nothing about how to make a marriage work. Never bothered to learn.
This brings me to Jody. Jody is a Christian. He's a very sincere and devout Christian. He's a very sincere and devout and perhaps even a little uptight Christian...and he heard about my troubled marriage. Of course, he heard about it because I pissed and moaned about it to anyone at work who would listen; this was before I realised the breakup was partly (mostly?) MY fault. I've shut up about it since. Damage is done, oh well.
Jody lent me "The Marriage Book" by Nick and Sila Lee. I've read it through a couple of times now and come to realise there was a basic misunderstanding between Laurie and myself almost from the very beginning of our marriage. This is only a pet theory, but it fits what I've observed about us so far. Without going into details, the misunderstanding has caused us both to each impute to the other very unflattering motives for what we've been unhappiest about in the marriage.
Let's make this simple:
Laurie stands there and says; "It's all about SEX with you!"
I stand here and say; "It's all about MONEY with you!"
And we're both wrong.
Neither of us has been willing, since the beginning, to try to understand the real motives behind those accusations. Okay, I'm willing now (better late than never), but it may be too late. Firstly, it's just a pet theory, and secondly, I don't think telling Laurie about it would help. This assumes that she would listen, and that she would accept it. Plus, knowing the problem and knowing how to fix it are two separate issues. If she did listen, and if we did decide to try to fix our marriage...we would need some serious professional help. I'm clueless about what to do with what I've learned. I don't even know where to start.
So...to wrap up.
Laurie is dating Roger. Thus far it's a platonic relationship (so I'm told), and Laurie has said that she has to be very careful, as she is *not* ready for another serious relationship. We're living apart (me downstairs and her upstairs), but both doing what's needed to take care of the kids. She's got a line on a good job and I may be taking an afternoon shift at work so someone is home in the mornings to see the kids off to school. Once the job goes through, she wants us to begin to separate our incomes and assets and start paying our own bills. Then we move on filing for a simple, mutually agreed, no-fault divorce. At some point we'll have to dispose of the house, but she's willing to wait until one or the other of us is remarried (or "in a committed relationship") to do so. Frankly, we both agree that it would be weird to be living with the new fiance or spouse and having the ex living in the same house. Besides, the kids like it here and we really ought to wait as long as we can before we uproot them.
Laurie says she doesn't hate me...she just doesn't want to live with me any more. I believe her.
Friday, March 28, 2008
It's Snowing outside...
Spring was supposed to start sometime around March 20-21...I guess this is Winter's Last Gasp...I hope.
It's 1PM as I write this, and the snow is still persisting. Actually, the snow is still falling. We've got a massive arctic air mass upon us and it's causing freezing rain; with snow at higher elevations. We live at a higher elevation.
I've almost got the Junker back together. It has been going rather slowly; not because I can't remember how to put all the various components of the dashboard back together, but rather I've forgotten which order to re-assemble them in. I'll get a panel back on or a widget replaced, and then realize there's something else underneath it that I haven't yet finished with. I have also been performing regular checks as each part gets re-assembled, and so far everything works like it's supposed to.
All this effort, and I've only managed to solve issue #1 of the three major mechanical issues this car has. I was not even able to find a proper OEM heater core to replace the leaking one. I had to purchase an aftermarket replacement that was designed for a Toyota! The replacement fits in the cradle inside the airbox all right, but it's narrower than the original. Some creative use of a drill, some 1/4" roundhead screws, and a couple of pieces of 1/4" x 1-1/4" cedar lath strips helped me get a proper fit. I also had to cut about 1-1/2" off the connection pipes in order to get the hook-up hoses to fit properly. The gentleman at RJ radiators said that if I had to do that, I would also have to use two pipe clamps to attach the hoses. No Prob.
I still don't know if it will work yet. But you out there in the Unseen Audience will be among the first to know. I'll keep you posted.
Spring was supposed to start sometime around March 20-21...I guess this is Winter's Last Gasp...I hope.
It's 1PM as I write this, and the snow is still persisting. Actually, the snow is still falling. We've got a massive arctic air mass upon us and it's causing freezing rain; with snow at higher elevations. We live at a higher elevation.
I've almost got the Junker back together. It has been going rather slowly; not because I can't remember how to put all the various components of the dashboard back together, but rather I've forgotten which order to re-assemble them in. I'll get a panel back on or a widget replaced, and then realize there's something else underneath it that I haven't yet finished with. I have also been performing regular checks as each part gets re-assembled, and so far everything works like it's supposed to.
All this effort, and I've only managed to solve issue #1 of the three major mechanical issues this car has. I was not even able to find a proper OEM heater core to replace the leaking one. I had to purchase an aftermarket replacement that was designed for a Toyota! The replacement fits in the cradle inside the airbox all right, but it's narrower than the original. Some creative use of a drill, some 1/4" roundhead screws, and a couple of pieces of 1/4" x 1-1/4" cedar lath strips helped me get a proper fit. I also had to cut about 1-1/2" off the connection pipes in order to get the hook-up hoses to fit properly. The gentleman at RJ radiators said that if I had to do that, I would also have to use two pipe clamps to attach the hoses. No Prob.
I still don't know if it will work yet. But you out there in the Unseen Audience will be among the first to know. I'll keep you posted.
Thursday, March 20, 2008
Only 10 more posts (after this one) and I will have 150 posts. Then I qualify for the "blogger bonus": a free sub at Quiznos.
No, not really...
Had a terriffic (and complicated?) visit with Gloria M on Tuesday...she's in town for her Aunt's funeral. She seems to be taking to single life very well (again). She spent a lot of our time together telling me how wonderful I am...you see why we've been friends for so long?
I've been sick the past week. I am also on vacation while the kids are home from Spring Break. L is still working, of course, and speaking of L and her job...
...She's decided to pursue a Career. She's been having a lot of fun at her BCLC job, and she enjoys how much the people she deals with every day appreciate her and the good work she does. But she knows that she could make more money/benefits if she pursued something else. So she took a look at Transcription, and Medical Transcription in particular. She's presently enrolled in a once-a-week night course at VCC downtown. She's going gangbusters on her course, and needs only her english equivalency and another specialty course to qualify for a position somewhere like the admin dept. at Surrey Memorial Hostpital (for example). She's also pretty sure we'll need another car eventually, so that she and I can commute to our respective jobs. Problem: we can't *afford* another car.
So I found one for free.
Actually...Kudos and Props to my main man Marv Walling at 507 for finding the car. His neighbor, a nice lady who teaches at BCIT, was going to give the car away for a charity tax-credit...but he persuaded her that it would be better to give it to someone who could actually *use* it.
I am now in possession of a 1992 Eagle Summit Wagon.
I'll post some pictures later, right now it's in pieces.
The Wagon (mini minivan van?) has three major issues: a busted heater core line, which is spouting coolant all over the front footwells; a clunking transmission, which I 'm going to let Dennis Blackwell at Blackwell Transmissions handle; and warped front brake rotors, which I will replace myself.
The engine is in pretty good shape...it's a strong runner. Apart from some minor body damage, it will make a perfectly acceptable transport.
More later.
No, not really...
Had a terriffic (and complicated?) visit with Gloria M on Tuesday...she's in town for her Aunt's funeral. She seems to be taking to single life very well (again). She spent a lot of our time together telling me how wonderful I am...you see why we've been friends for so long?
I've been sick the past week. I am also on vacation while the kids are home from Spring Break. L is still working, of course, and speaking of L and her job...
...She's decided to pursue a Career. She's been having a lot of fun at her BCLC job, and she enjoys how much the people she deals with every day appreciate her and the good work she does. But she knows that she could make more money/benefits if she pursued something else. So she took a look at Transcription, and Medical Transcription in particular. She's presently enrolled in a once-a-week night course at VCC downtown. She's going gangbusters on her course, and needs only her english equivalency and another specialty course to qualify for a position somewhere like the admin dept. at Surrey Memorial Hostpital (for example). She's also pretty sure we'll need another car eventually, so that she and I can commute to our respective jobs. Problem: we can't *afford* another car.
So I found one for free.
Actually...Kudos and Props to my main man Marv Walling at 507 for finding the car. His neighbor, a nice lady who teaches at BCIT, was going to give the car away for a charity tax-credit...but he persuaded her that it would be better to give it to someone who could actually *use* it.
I am now in possession of a 1992 Eagle Summit Wagon.
I'll post some pictures later, right now it's in pieces.
The Wagon (mini minivan van?) has three major issues: a busted heater core line, which is spouting coolant all over the front footwells; a clunking transmission, which I 'm going to let Dennis Blackwell at Blackwell Transmissions handle; and warped front brake rotors, which I will replace myself.
The engine is in pretty good shape...it's a strong runner. Apart from some minor body damage, it will make a perfectly acceptable transport.
More later.
Sunday, March 09, 2008
LEAP forward!!!
I wish.
Ever have one of those weekends where nothing works? I have. In fact, I'm having one now...
The Car:
Either a vacuum leak or a combination of vacuum leak and one of the smartparts on the intake is causing a rough idle, stalling and abrupt change in revs ("hesitation" my Haynes Manual calls it). I dismantled the entire intake above the manifold, found it absolutely coated in crud and used a liberal dose of Permatex gasket maker to make certain it sealed this time.
I think I may have done something wrong.
The car ran fine...for about ten minutes. Now, all the above symptoms are back, not as severe as before mind you; but they're back.
Our home network:
I finally bought a wireless router to replace that 4 port switch we've been using to share our broadband internet between 3 (soon to be 4) systems. I promised the kids weeks ago that we'd get something on the home network with wireless capability so they could play their Wii online.
Cannot...make...it...work.
It seems that D-link and my AVG 8+ don't get along. I'm sure it's as easy as pie for someone with a real A+ certification...but it's beyond me.
Sigh.
I need to fix a bike or read a book...that's about all I feel competent to handle right now.
Let's just say I'm having a lot of difficulty keeping things together and in working order.
I wish.
Ever have one of those weekends where nothing works? I have. In fact, I'm having one now...
The Car:
Either a vacuum leak or a combination of vacuum leak and one of the smartparts on the intake is causing a rough idle, stalling and abrupt change in revs ("hesitation" my Haynes Manual calls it). I dismantled the entire intake above the manifold, found it absolutely coated in crud and used a liberal dose of Permatex gasket maker to make certain it sealed this time.
I think I may have done something wrong.
The car ran fine...for about ten minutes. Now, all the above symptoms are back, not as severe as before mind you; but they're back.
Our home network:
I finally bought a wireless router to replace that 4 port switch we've been using to share our broadband internet between 3 (soon to be 4) systems. I promised the kids weeks ago that we'd get something on the home network with wireless capability so they could play their Wii online.
Cannot...make...it...work.
It seems that D-link and my AVG 8+ don't get along. I'm sure it's as easy as pie for someone with a real A+ certification...but it's beyond me.
Sigh.
I need to fix a bike or read a book...that's about all I feel competent to handle right now.
Let's just say I'm having a lot of difficulty keeping things together and in working order.
Sunday, February 10, 2008
Oh No!
Not ANOTHER car post!!!!
I replaced the drivebelt and tensioner on the Cavalier last month and - naturally - the water pump started to show signs of failing. Rather than wait for it to do so...I figured I'd just replace it before it went.
You know...I 've kept that car remarkably well for the past 5 years. Yay me.
I'm going to start biking to work again.
Because my weight is now almost 240 lbs (again).
Because I'm having difficulty seeing my feet (again).
Because I'm having difficulty fitting into the new clothes I bought during the summer.
Annnnd...I'm showing signs of severe Sleep Apnea (again).
That fancy aluminum-framed Schwinn that I traded the old Schwinn World Sport for last spring is probably going to be my new new ride. I supposedly got it for L, but she never has, and probably never will, ever ride it. The Apollo will be relegated to summertime duty. I will need to patch up some of my gear, however. Right now, the Schwinn needs a new rear tube...
I'm riding tomorrow, because L needs the car again.
More later.
Not ANOTHER car post!!!!
I replaced the drivebelt and tensioner on the Cavalier last month and - naturally - the water pump started to show signs of failing. Rather than wait for it to do so...I figured I'd just replace it before it went.
You know...I 've kept that car remarkably well for the past 5 years. Yay me.
I'm going to start biking to work again.
Because my weight is now almost 240 lbs (again).
Because I'm having difficulty seeing my feet (again).
Because I'm having difficulty fitting into the new clothes I bought during the summer.
Annnnd...I'm showing signs of severe Sleep Apnea (again).
That fancy aluminum-framed Schwinn that I traded the old Schwinn World Sport for last spring is probably going to be my new new ride. I supposedly got it for L, but she never has, and probably never will, ever ride it. The Apollo will be relegated to summertime duty. I will need to patch up some of my gear, however. Right now, the Schwinn needs a new rear tube...
I'm riding tomorrow, because L needs the car again.
More later.
Wednesday, January 23, 2008
Hoo boy.
This week is shaping up to be a *real* winner...
Laurie broke the car.
I think our cavalier hates my wife.
She claims that the car has stalled dead a couple of times whilst on a steep slope...and she GUNNED THE HELL OUT OF IT in order to "make sure it didn't stall again".
My wife's been a little stressed out lately. She's broken the upstairs toilet...twice.
Later in the day (rode my bike to and from work) I drove the car to Grant and Kathy's place to have a look at their van. They've got a leaking heater core line that can't be repaired at the moment because doing so would require removing the engine from their van.
No, I'm not kidding. That has *got* to be the dumbest design I've seen in awhile.
Anyways...I happened to notice, after I started the car (it had cooled down by then)a pronounced..."clicking/tapping/grinding"???? noise coming from the driver's side, around the wheel well. The noise seemed to occur only when the car was in gear, and in motion.
I know what you're thinking...'cause I was thinking it too: busted driveaxle.
The cavalier is going on 13 years old, after all.
So, throwing caution to the wind, I decided to drive the car to work next morning.
And the noise started up immediately.
"What the...?"
Hmmm...not only is the car not moving, it ain't even in gear yet. Must be something else...
I pop open the hood...and the noise stops. Close the hood, the noise starts again. Open the hood...this got old after only a few moments.
Finally, as I turn to grab the trouble light, the noise starts again...and I FOUND IT!
Spotted the drivebelt "skipping" against the flange on the power steering pump. Obvious cause: the drivebelt tension pulley was broken.
Whew.
A major automotive disaster turns out to be only a minor catastrophe. Pay 150$ to your local Canuck Tire, and pass go. Brought the parts home, and started to work immediately, as L started her night course this week and HAD to be gone by 5 PM. No pressure, eh?
Surprise: the old tensioner had not, as I expected, broken its tension spring.
The bracket that holds the pulley to the engine broke in two.
Happier news:
The renovation of the basement is under way. We've got wallboard up in the hallway and new subfloor laid in the Kitchen/Livingroom area on the west side of the basement suite. It ought to be ready for occupation middle of next month.
Stay tuned.
This week is shaping up to be a *real* winner...
Laurie broke the car.
I think our cavalier hates my wife.
She claims that the car has stalled dead a couple of times whilst on a steep slope...and she GUNNED THE HELL OUT OF IT in order to "make sure it didn't stall again".
My wife's been a little stressed out lately. She's broken the upstairs toilet...twice.
Later in the day (rode my bike to and from work) I drove the car to Grant and Kathy's place to have a look at their van. They've got a leaking heater core line that can't be repaired at the moment because doing so would require removing the engine from their van.
No, I'm not kidding. That has *got* to be the dumbest design I've seen in awhile.
Anyways...I happened to notice, after I started the car (it had cooled down by then)a pronounced..."clicking/tapping/grinding"???? noise coming from the driver's side, around the wheel well. The noise seemed to occur only when the car was in gear, and in motion.
I know what you're thinking...'cause I was thinking it too: busted driveaxle.
The cavalier is going on 13 years old, after all.
So, throwing caution to the wind, I decided to drive the car to work next morning.
And the noise started up immediately.
"What the...?"
Hmmm...not only is the car not moving, it ain't even in gear yet. Must be something else...
I pop open the hood...and the noise stops. Close the hood, the noise starts again. Open the hood...this got old after only a few moments.
Finally, as I turn to grab the trouble light, the noise starts again...and I FOUND IT!
Spotted the drivebelt "skipping" against the flange on the power steering pump. Obvious cause: the drivebelt tension pulley was broken.
Whew.
A major automotive disaster turns out to be only a minor catastrophe. Pay 150$ to your local Canuck Tire, and pass go. Brought the parts home, and started to work immediately, as L started her night course this week and HAD to be gone by 5 PM. No pressure, eh?
Surprise: the old tensioner had not, as I expected, broken its tension spring.
The bracket that holds the pulley to the engine broke in two.
Happier news:
The renovation of the basement is under way. We've got wallboard up in the hallway and new subfloor laid in the Kitchen/Livingroom area on the west side of the basement suite. It ought to be ready for occupation middle of next month.
Stay tuned.
Tuesday, January 15, 2008
Once upon a time...a young man had more money than sense...
This young man had been raised in a close-knit family. His father had been an officer with the Canadian armed forces overseas. His father brought home to Canada a souvenir of his tour of duty in Europe.
An Alfa Romeo GT 1300 jr.
Dad's was dark blue. He kept it until I was 12. There's a small shelf behind the back seat where as toddlers my sisters and I would sleep on long car trips. This was before mandatory seat belt laws, of course.
At age 22, I returned home to Canada from a church mission in the US. I was young, single, newly employed and had received a substantial tax refund...like I said in the beginning...more money than sense.
So I bought this:
Mine was red. Also, that's a 1973 GT 2000. Mine was a 1974 GTV 2000 "Inezione" It rusted out completely within 2 years. I finally had to let it go to the wreckers, but only after stripping the rusting hulk for every saleable part I could persuade my parents to let me keep in the crawlspace of their house. Had some fun with it: a long and interesting roadtrip back to alberta...a long and involved clutch job...engine fire...lost a wheel on highway 99 in Richmond. Sometimes I wonder WHY I ever gave it up.
Except I didn't. A house I moved into with KWY, Bob W and Mark T had...a 1750 GT in the garage. For Sale.
Again, without so much money but STILL without much sense...I bought another alfa.
This one died without even so much as a whimper: sold the hulk and all parts to an Euro-car dealership in Vancouver. Never drove it.
So...what's the point of this trip down memory lane?
Well, in part because for the first time in about 14 years, I'm going to be owning my own car again. Also in part because I found something lost that now is found.
Not my alfa.
THE alfa.
The most beautiful Alfa Romeo ever made.
The 1964 Alfa Romeo Canguro...yes, the name means "Kangaroo" in Italian.
In keeping with the romance and occaisional tragedy of Alfa's history; the one-of-a-kind Canguro has a story:
"Alfa Romeo had made a successful return to motorsport with the TZ (Tubular chassis and Zagato body) model, and in 1964 explored the opportunity to make a road going version of the lightweight racer. Although the Zagato version was highly competitive, it was also very expensive, so Alfa Romeo offered a TZ chassis to both Bertone and Pininfarina to turn into a road car. At Bertone the project was headed by a young Giorgietto Giugiaro, who had penned the Giulia Sprint body for Alfa Romeo a year earlier.
One of the TZ chassis greatest advantages was the exceptionally low construction, which allowed for a small frontal area. Giugiaro made the most of that and designed a highly aerodynamic fiberglass body, which was even lower than the aluminum Zagato body. To smooth out the airflow the car featured a glued-in front window, which was an industry first. Another interesting design element was the incorporation of the Alfa Romeo's competition cloverleaf as cockpit vents. Launched at the 1964 Paris show, the car was dubbed Canguro, Italian for kangaroo.
Giugiaro's Canguro received universal acclaim, but Alfa Romeo was not convinced and abandoned the idea of the TZ based road car. One of the reasons was the incapability of Autodelta, the marque's racing department, to build enough chassis. The project ended on a sad note when a journalist crashed the unique car in a test drive. The Canguro's remains were eventually bought in 1971 by Gary Schmidt, a German journalist. He intended to reconstruct the car, but he failed to do so, and the car was considered lost.
Fortunately this was not the end of the story; a Japanese collector tracked down the remains in the 1990s, and continued in secrecy where Schmidt had left off. It made a glorious debut at the 2005 Villa d'Este Concours d'Elegance, where it was voted best of show. For many it was quite a shock to see one of the automotive world's finest designs in person, after it was believed to be lost for ever.
Although the Canguro was never produced, it has made a lasting impression on the industry. Some of the design cues were found on later Alfa Romeos, and other Bertone designed vehicles. Created at a time when Italian automotive design was at its peak, it is considered by many as one of the most balanced designs ever executed.
The Canguro is pictured at its second debut, the 2005 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, where it was the centre of attention of press and public alike."
To give you some idea of what a milestone in automotive styling the Canguro was; here's a "side by side" with the latest Alfa Romeo model to be released on the North American market (as featured in the January, 2008 issue of Road & Track magazine). I give you the Alfa Romeo 8c Competizione:
And the Canguro...see any similarities? Both cars have impressive performance numbers; in fact the 8C could be more exactly classified as a Supercar. The Canguro, however, turns in its performance stats while being equipped with a four cylinder engine.
Not bad for a design over 40 years old, eh?
This young man had been raised in a close-knit family. His father had been an officer with the Canadian armed forces overseas. His father brought home to Canada a souvenir of his tour of duty in Europe.
An Alfa Romeo GT 1300 jr.
Dad's was dark blue. He kept it until I was 12. There's a small shelf behind the back seat where as toddlers my sisters and I would sleep on long car trips. This was before mandatory seat belt laws, of course.
At age 22, I returned home to Canada from a church mission in the US. I was young, single, newly employed and had received a substantial tax refund...like I said in the beginning...more money than sense.
So I bought this:
Mine was red. Also, that's a 1973 GT 2000. Mine was a 1974 GTV 2000 "Inezione" It rusted out completely within 2 years. I finally had to let it go to the wreckers, but only after stripping the rusting hulk for every saleable part I could persuade my parents to let me keep in the crawlspace of their house. Had some fun with it: a long and interesting roadtrip back to alberta...a long and involved clutch job...engine fire...lost a wheel on highway 99 in Richmond. Sometimes I wonder WHY I ever gave it up.
Except I didn't. A house I moved into with KWY, Bob W and Mark T had...a 1750 GT in the garage. For Sale.
Again, without so much money but STILL without much sense...I bought another alfa.
This one died without even so much as a whimper: sold the hulk and all parts to an Euro-car dealership in Vancouver. Never drove it.
So...what's the point of this trip down memory lane?
Well, in part because for the first time in about 14 years, I'm going to be owning my own car again. Also in part because I found something lost that now is found.
Not my alfa.
THE alfa.
The most beautiful Alfa Romeo ever made.
The 1964 Alfa Romeo Canguro...yes, the name means "Kangaroo" in Italian.
In keeping with the romance and occaisional tragedy of Alfa's history; the one-of-a-kind Canguro has a story:
"Alfa Romeo had made a successful return to motorsport with the TZ (Tubular chassis and Zagato body) model, and in 1964 explored the opportunity to make a road going version of the lightweight racer. Although the Zagato version was highly competitive, it was also very expensive, so Alfa Romeo offered a TZ chassis to both Bertone and Pininfarina to turn into a road car. At Bertone the project was headed by a young Giorgietto Giugiaro, who had penned the Giulia Sprint body for Alfa Romeo a year earlier.
One of the TZ chassis greatest advantages was the exceptionally low construction, which allowed for a small frontal area. Giugiaro made the most of that and designed a highly aerodynamic fiberglass body, which was even lower than the aluminum Zagato body. To smooth out the airflow the car featured a glued-in front window, which was an industry first. Another interesting design element was the incorporation of the Alfa Romeo's competition cloverleaf as cockpit vents. Launched at the 1964 Paris show, the car was dubbed Canguro, Italian for kangaroo.
Giugiaro's Canguro received universal acclaim, but Alfa Romeo was not convinced and abandoned the idea of the TZ based road car. One of the reasons was the incapability of Autodelta, the marque's racing department, to build enough chassis. The project ended on a sad note when a journalist crashed the unique car in a test drive. The Canguro's remains were eventually bought in 1971 by Gary Schmidt, a German journalist. He intended to reconstruct the car, but he failed to do so, and the car was considered lost.
Fortunately this was not the end of the story; a Japanese collector tracked down the remains in the 1990s, and continued in secrecy where Schmidt had left off. It made a glorious debut at the 2005 Villa d'Este Concours d'Elegance, where it was voted best of show. For many it was quite a shock to see one of the automotive world's finest designs in person, after it was believed to be lost for ever.
Although the Canguro was never produced, it has made a lasting impression on the industry. Some of the design cues were found on later Alfa Romeos, and other Bertone designed vehicles. Created at a time when Italian automotive design was at its peak, it is considered by many as one of the most balanced designs ever executed.
The Canguro is pictured at its second debut, the 2005 Concorso d'Eleganza Villa d'Este, where it was the centre of attention of press and public alike."
To give you some idea of what a milestone in automotive styling the Canguro was; here's a "side by side" with the latest Alfa Romeo model to be released on the North American market (as featured in the January, 2008 issue of Road & Track magazine). I give you the Alfa Romeo 8c Competizione:
And the Canguro...see any similarities? Both cars have impressive performance numbers; in fact the 8C could be more exactly classified as a Supercar. The Canguro, however, turns in its performance stats while being equipped with a four cylinder engine.
Not bad for a design over 40 years old, eh?
Sunday, January 13, 2008
Things I learned today:
The welfare of each is bound up in the welfare of all.
That's the right way to express it.
"From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs"
That's the wrong way to express it.
Won't say any more than that.
Something else I learned today: we often end up right where we need to be. Sometimes it's even where we want to be. It's just very seldom that the path we took was the one we would have preferred to take. Does that make any sense? My life will be changing soon, and while this opens the path to living my life more in accord with the way I wish to live it (but so far haven't), this is not how I expected to get here. More on that later. Possibly MUCH later. We'll see.
Coral is sick, but recovering. Colin was sick, but has already recovered. I am feeling a little under the weather and rather hoping that I can give this "bug that's going around" a miss this time. Coral's birthday tomorrow. The Grrl-age is officially a TEENAGER.
Oy.
The welfare of each is bound up in the welfare of all.
That's the right way to express it.
"From each according to his ability, to each according to his needs"
That's the wrong way to express it.
Won't say any more than that.
Something else I learned today: we often end up right where we need to be. Sometimes it's even where we want to be. It's just very seldom that the path we took was the one we would have preferred to take. Does that make any sense? My life will be changing soon, and while this opens the path to living my life more in accord with the way I wish to live it (but so far haven't), this is not how I expected to get here. More on that later. Possibly MUCH later. We'll see.
Coral is sick, but recovering. Colin was sick, but has already recovered. I am feeling a little under the weather and rather hoping that I can give this "bug that's going around" a miss this time. Coral's birthday tomorrow. The Grrl-age is officially a TEENAGER.
Oy.
Saturday, January 12, 2008
Happy 2008.
Feh.
What's up?
The Basement isn't finished yet.
It's not even started yet. We've begun making strategic phone calls to various individuals: our insurance agent, our "restoration specialist", our plumbing contractor...
...Ok, I haven't actually called our plumbing contractor yet. Our insurance agent is talking to the Claims Department at the city of Delta and wishes a statement from the plumbing contractor just to get all of the details of the claim organized. This might explain why the basement reno hasn't started yet: the principals in the case haven't decided who is going to pay for what. All I can say is; the city was negligent, at the very least.
The basement, despite torrential seasonal rains (and the occasional snowstorm) has remained dry. There was one minor incursion at the end of last month, but owing as how our floor drain actually works now, the water left immediately. I can live with that.
May still have to dig up the foundation tile in that corner come spring, tho'.
Work:
We finally got those new standup forklifts the company promised us in November. Our dock lifts are Hyster model 40. The old "tall" lifts are model 30. The "new" are model 35. They combine a model 40 chassis with a lift similar to the model 30, save that the lift height is greater and was actually planned to be able to reach the top of the racking easily without striking the roof trusswork or piping. Oh, and the mod. 35's are equipped with an optical laser sight and a digital height counter. Chief complaints about the new machines: lack of workspace. I myself had to retrofit a "clipboard" of sorts to hold picking orders and labels. Actually, I'm pleased with the way these are working out; but the cockpit is a lot more cramped, and yet still comfortable.
I'm going back to church. Very soon will be paying tithes, doing home teaching, perhaps even holding a calling! May also take the Vancouver Community Choir up on their offer to join the men's section. Life is shaking up. I am not sleeping well. More later.
Feh.
What's up?
The Basement isn't finished yet.
It's not even started yet. We've begun making strategic phone calls to various individuals: our insurance agent, our "restoration specialist", our plumbing contractor...
...Ok, I haven't actually called our plumbing contractor yet. Our insurance agent is talking to the Claims Department at the city of Delta and wishes a statement from the plumbing contractor just to get all of the details of the claim organized. This might explain why the basement reno hasn't started yet: the principals in the case haven't decided who is going to pay for what. All I can say is; the city was negligent, at the very least.
The basement, despite torrential seasonal rains (and the occasional snowstorm) has remained dry. There was one minor incursion at the end of last month, but owing as how our floor drain actually works now, the water left immediately. I can live with that.
May still have to dig up the foundation tile in that corner come spring, tho'.
Work:
We finally got those new standup forklifts the company promised us in November. Our dock lifts are Hyster model 40. The old "tall" lifts are model 30. The "new" are model 35. They combine a model 40 chassis with a lift similar to the model 30, save that the lift height is greater and was actually planned to be able to reach the top of the racking easily without striking the roof trusswork or piping. Oh, and the mod. 35's are equipped with an optical laser sight and a digital height counter. Chief complaints about the new machines: lack of workspace. I myself had to retrofit a "clipboard" of sorts to hold picking orders and labels. Actually, I'm pleased with the way these are working out; but the cockpit is a lot more cramped, and yet still comfortable.
I'm going back to church. Very soon will be paying tithes, doing home teaching, perhaps even holding a calling! May also take the Vancouver Community Choir up on their offer to join the men's section. Life is shaking up. I am not sleeping well. More later.