Its actually much more interesting than it sounds:
Canada-US differences are also a theme, too.
B.
Tuesday, December 18, 2007
Monday, December 17, 2007
What I’m Watching Lately....
The Tudors: Wow, am I old enough to watch this show?
The Big Bang Theory: A very funny show... It helps that airs immediately after How I Met Your Mother, though.
Futurama re-runs: Wow, I’ve missed that show.
Myth Busters: Even though the episodes are pretty similar to each other...
House: Even though every single episode has exactly the same plot...
A Charlie Brown Christmas: Every year it juts gets better and better.
B.
The Big Bang Theory: A very funny show... It helps that airs immediately after How I Met Your Mother, though.
Futurama re-runs: Wow, I’ve missed that show.
Myth Busters: Even though the episodes are pretty similar to each other...
House: Even though every single episode has exactly the same plot...
A Charlie Brown Christmas: Every year it juts gets better and better.
B.
Friday, December 07, 2007
Investment Business proposal/From Mrs. Margaret Harrison.
Here's another one. Maybe its just because its Friday, but somehow this one is slightly more tempting.
B.
______________________
Hello,
Compliment of the day,
I would like to apply through this medium for your co-operation and to secure an opportunity to invest and do joint business with you and my family in your country, if you can handle long time business investment jointly with me and my children in your country. I honourably intend to invest in your country into a very lucrative business venture of which you are to advise and execute the said venture over there for the mutual benefits of both of us.
Your able co-operation is to become my business partner in your country and create ideas on how money will be invested, properly managed and the type of investment after the money is transferred to your account with your assistance.
Meanwhile, on indication of your willingness to handle this transaction sincerely by protecting our interests and upon your acceptance of this proposal, I would furnish you with the full detailed information, procedure and amount involve. I shall be glad to reserve this respect and opportunity for you, if you so desire, but do urge you to give the matter your immediate attention it deserves, looking forward to your response.
Meanwhile, on indication of your willingness to handle this transaction sincerely by protecting our interests and upon your acceptance of this proposal, I would furnish you with the full detailed information, procedure and amount involve. I shall be glad to reserve this respect and opportunity for you, if you so desire, but do urge you to give the matter your immediate attention it deserves, looking forward to your response.
Yours Faithfully.
Mrs. Margaret and Son Philip Harrison.
Liberte Sicap 5, Lot 21/B Villa 2065.
Dakar Senegal.
Wednesday, December 05, 2007
First Winter Storm of Year, First Storm Day EVER
Believe it or not, yesterday's storm was the first official "storm day" of my 11 year-old career. We moved from the health contract to the civil service contract over the last year. We lost benefits on many points, but we gained storm days. Basically, this means that I can now stay home when the government offices are closed, instead of trying to get to work or taking over-time or vacation hours to make up the time.
Yay,
B.
Monday, December 03, 2007
Free Church Follow-Up Pics
Free Church Follow-Up Pics
Originally uploaded by Binky's Photos
Here is a follow-up pic to the post below.
http://binkygetsby.blogspot.com/2007/03/you-make-caption.html
It looks like its being dismantled.
B.
Its Beginning to Look a Lot Like...
December already... Things are humming along in our house with Christmas preparations and the like. Both girls are behaving very well and I expect that this has been noted by Santa Central and that it will be taken into account.
Its hard to believe, but Super Girl will turn four this Wednesday (Dec. 5th). She is more than excited. Wednesday night we're having cake with both sets of grandparents and on Sunday (Dec. 9th) she has a party at McDonald's (her choice).
On Thursday (Dec. 6th) Action Girl (age 6.75) has her school Christmas concert, which is entirely a Grade One production. She has a welcoming speech (a few lines) that opens the concert. She is pleased!
Next week, Super Girl's daycare has their concert and she is Mary (yes, the Mary). She was so excited the day the parts were assigned that she made a "Mary" name tag for herself (she had to ask how to spell it and wore it taped to her shirt for the rest of the day.
Christmas through their eyes is enough... well its enough to make me want to be a whole lot less cynical about things.
B.
Friday, November 16, 2007
Sporting Intentions
For the second year, Action Girl (age 6 3/4) is taking Can Skate Lessons at our local rink. Last year, she completed her first two levels and is now eagerly working on Level 3. She has become quite a competent skater. Her latest skill is spinning and she finds it challenging.
I remember the look on her face last year as the best part of her skating. There is a grin that's absolutely stuck on her face the whole time. Its back. Nest year, figure skating or hockey (ringette?) are real possibilities. She's probably weeks away from being a better skater than her dad.
There are two kinds of dads with respect to skating- those dads who played hockey and those who didn't. I belong to the latter group. I can skate and got new skates for Christmas last year and they are a beautiful sight to behold. But, if there is a hockied dad skating on the same rink as me, you won't confuse us.
Good for you, Action Girl!
B.
B.
Sunday, November 11, 2007
Remembrance Day 2007
It was very cold and very rainy, Our local community's service involves the Air Cadet squadron that I was with as a teenager. We didn't take the girls and that was a good move given the horrible conditions. Here are some pics:
Thursday, November 08, 2007
Kids' Remembrance Thoughts
November 11th is a big deal for me. It always has been and always will be. Canada's experience of the 20th Century was shaped in countless ways by the struggle, losses, and successes of both World Wars. Korea, and U.N. and N.A.T.O. missions from 1956 to Afghanistan.
What do my daughters at 6½ and 3½ need to know about Remembrance Day? Here's what I told them this morning.
Wars are horrible things. Both World Wars involved Canadians fighting around the world so people could be free to make their own decisions about their own lives and could live without fear of being taken away. Many Canadians died in the wars, 100,000 in both world wars. My grandmother had an uncle who died in WWI. How sad would they be if one of their uncles were killed? Peace is something that we and they need to work towards, but because we do that I don't believe there will be another big war and I wanted them to know that.
We're planning to go to the community service on November 11th. I hope they're going to be there without fear but with just enough sadness. Some things are sad and its good to feel that way about them.
B.
Monday, November 05, 2007
The Kite Runner Vs. Vietnam
It seems that everyone, including the last issue of my church's magazine The Observer, has concluded that public opinion is sharply divided Canada's role in Afghanistan, divided in a manner far more complicated that any survey can truly capture.
Unlike many people of the left or centre-left to whose opinions I would ordinarily find my own very similar, I am a very strong (but not unqualified) believer in Canada's present role/mission in Afghanistan. Every time I try to understand the position that would see Canada's military immediately withdraw from that country, I run squarely into reasons why I think that decision isn't wise or even moral.
Before I further explain that conclusion, here are some points that I understand to be true and that if you're not following the issue closely, of which you may not be aware.
- Canada has a battle group of over 2000 soldiers active in Southern Afghanistan. Technically, they are engaged in development security work and through that, an anti-insurgency conflict with remnants of the Taliban, their allies or other anti-government irregular forces. This work is authorized through a United Nations mandate.
- Canada maintains a focus on development an rebuilding society in Afghanistan. Many Canadians feel that the balance is wrong and that money spend on maintaining the battle group should go directly into development. Others claim that development cannot happen without security and that this security means being prepared to meet anti-government forces with a military response.
- Negatively colouring many people's responses to our army in Afghanistan (including my retired Air Force Chief Warrant Officer father) is the "gung-ho" confident attitude projected by Canada's current Chief of Defense Staff (the Canadian equivalent of the U.S. Joint Chiefs). General Rick Hillier inspires very little indifference and his style has both helped and hindered public opinion.
- Afghanistan under the Taliban was a medievally brutal cesspool of suffering. Post-Taliban Afghanistan is filled with suffering, extreme poverty, violence, and gross inequality, but its impossible to conclude anything but that on the whole, history should judge Canada by how much we do to prevent a return to fundamentalist theocratic rule.
Its conceivable that this return to the Taliban may happen regardless of our efforts but to think we would chose to avoid doing everything that we can to stop this return is morally repugnant. To think that stopping this return involves only development and not active security is naive. Any mission which also includes building schools and placing value on girls being allowed to go to school is not just violence for violence's sake. These are our fundamental values and we need to try to achieve them in Afghanistan with considerable cost.
A failed, theocratic "state" in Afghanistan would be both a moral failure and a reality that would cost the rest of the world in ways we cannot yet anticipate. Schools and roads, democracy and peace are things for which we should be prepared to struggle. Its easy for me to suggest this as I will not be going to Afghanistan and my children are not directly threatened- that doesn't make me wrong.
What do you think?
B.
Friday, November 02, 2007
Work from home no enter fee
Yet another too good to be true offer. Perhaps I should be more charitable. Aren't we all really "at search" for soemthing? Is "maxiamally" a word? If not, I believe it should be. "[T]o make successful career at us" - isn't that what we all want?
>>> "aleksandr kalan" <arbenz@*****.com> 11/2/2007 10:01 AM >>>
>>> "aleksandr kalan" <arbenz@*****.com> 11/2/2007 10:01 AM >>>
We are at search and selection of both experienced, highly qualified employees, and young, creative and perspective specialists in marketing. We clearly realize that the success of our company are our employees, and therefore creation for them of maximally favorable conditions to maintain and improve their professional level is in our opinion not less important task.
We appreciate such merits of employees as initiative, leadership, ability to work with people, striving for self-improvement. Employees with such merits have an excellent opportunity to make successful career at us.
If you wish to work in our team, if you are ready to active and dynamic work, we invite you to acquaint yourself with vacancy.
The preference is given to employees with knowledge of foreign languages.
To apply for this job, please send the following information to RenaQuinnSE@****.com.
1 Full name
2 Address of residing
3 Contact Phone numbers
4 Languages
5 Part time job/Full time
Thank you and we are looking forward to cooperate in long term base with you all.
If you received this message in error, please send a blank email to: MoisesPeckFE@****.com
We appreciate such merits of employees as initiative, leadership, ability to work with people, striving for self-improvement. Employees with such merits have an excellent opportunity to make successful career at us.
If you wish to work in our team, if you are ready to active and dynamic work, we invite you to acquaint yourself with vacancy.
The preference is given to employees with knowledge of foreign languages.
To apply for this job, please send the following information to RenaQuinnSE@****.com.
1 Full name
2 Address of residing
3 Contact Phone numbers
4 Languages
5 Part time job/Full time
Thank you and we are looking forward to cooperate in long term base with you all.
If you received this message in error, please send a blank email to: MoisesPeckFE@****.com
Monday, October 22, 2007
Six Degrees of What...
Here's another offer that's too good to be a true:
>>> "Jeffry Esparza" <***********> 10/20/2007 1:26 AM >>>
>>> "Jeffry Esparza" <***********> 10/20/2007 1:26 AM >>>
Obtain the_degree you deserve, based on your present knowledge and life experience.
A prosperous future, money earning power, and the Admiration of all.
Degrees from an Established, Prestigious, Leading Institution.
Your Degree will show exactly what you really can do.
Get the Job, Promotion, Business and Social Advancement you Desire!
Get your Bachelors,Masters,MBA, or PhD in the field of your expertise
Call now - your Graduation is a phone call away.
Please call: +1(413)***-****
A prosperous future, money earning power, and the Admiration of all.
Degrees from an Established, Prestigious, Leading Institution.
Your Degree will show exactly what you really can do.
Get the Job, Promotion, Business and Social Advancement you Desire!
Get your Bachelors,Masters,MBA, or PhD in the field of your expertise
Call now - your Graduation is a phone call away.
Please call: +1(413)***-****
So, what degree do I actually deserve. A PH.D. in avoidance? A Post-Doc in procrastination? At the very least a Master of Time Wastage. That. M.T.W. would be more appropiate than my present M.S.W. most days.
B.
Friday, October 19, 2007
Another "Oopportunity"
I may not not quit my job, yet. Here's another one:
________________________
Greetings,
I am a Civil Staff working under United States Marine Corps operating with the Engineering military Dept unit in Baghdad, Iraq, we discover about $65 Million US dollars that we want to move out but we need a good partner we can trust. This fund is oil money and legal. Click on the link bellow for more information
We will be moving these funds out of Iraq through the assistance of UN diplomatic officer. But the question is can we trust you when the funds get to you? You will take your 30% for the assistance and keep the remaining for us in a safe custody. Your role is to find a safe place for the funds while our own part is sending it to you.
Wait Your Reply
Michael Joseph
Friday, October 05, 2007
Songs in the Key of "M"?
Songs with the word "monkey" in the title:
1) Everyone's Got Something to Hide Except Me and My Monkey - The Beatles from the White Album
2) Monkey's Gone to Heaven - The Pixies - Album? (I have it on a greatest hits compilation)
3) _____________________________________________?
There must be more!
Help me before this becomes yet another obsession,
B.
Thursday, September 27, 2007
September So Far...
There's a definite sense in our house that the fall is rapidly becoming a busy time. Action Girl is still really enjoying Grade 1 and is positive every morning. Last Friday she and her new friend were named "very important people" of the week to recognize them for their extra help cleaning up at the after school program.
Super Girl is also doing well at play school. She spends some time helping a special needs assistant work with a couple of boys in the daycare and seems to really enjoy that work. Mostly, she holds toys until the boy says "please" when they ask for them. I think I had a job like that once.
On the fun front, Super Girl has started dance lessons and Action Girl starts her second year of skating next week. Last night we took my new remote control plane to the filed behind our house. Its amazing how much fun you can have crashing something 15 times in a row. No great damage, but I need to re-install the front landing gear.
B.
B.
Wednesday, September 26, 2007
My Early Birthday Present
For years I have wanted to own and fly a remote control (RC) airplane. After some thought and encouragement I bought a Fly Zone "Sky Fly" last Friday.
Here it is.
Here it is.
Play School Parachute Sept. 25, 2007
Play School Parachute Sept. 25, 2007
Originally uploaded by Binky's Photos
This is Super Girl's entire play school (minus the babies) huddled under a parachute. They had a fun and games time after their Terry Fox Run this past Monday. I took a couple of hours off to help with the run.
Fun!
B.
Tuesday, September 18, 2007
Our Day Trip to Pictou (Aug 30-07): Quaint Wood Islands Play Ground
DSC03202
Originally uploaded by Binky's Photos
Does anyone else remember this place? I can remember going there at least once as a child.
B.
Monday, September 17, 2007
Grade 1 So Far...
Day eight of Grade one and Action Girl seems to be enjoying her self everyday. Every night she lets slip a new French word or two and mentions with whom she played at recess. Lunch and milk tokens are no longer great mysteries and our morning routine runs smoothly. She especially enjoys, recess, gym, and music. Yes, both gym and music are in English. Last week was meet-the-teacher night. It went well and was quite informative. Home work starts next week.
This past Saturday we bought a Popomatic Trouble board game and have played a couple of games. Happily, Super Girl is just strong enough to press the bubble to “roll: the die.
Fun times,
B.
Tuesday, September 11, 2007
Summer's Bonus Level
A long time ago, back when video games had only two dimensions and very
obvious pixels, players of a certain skill (more than mine) could often
"earn" bonus levels between regular game levels, simply for fun and
extra points.
obvious pixels, players of a certain skill (more than mine) could often
"earn" bonus levels between regular game levels, simply for fun and
extra points.
Last weekend was the summer's bonus level for us- extra fun that we
weren't expecting. On Saturday we drove the extra half hour to spend
the afternoon on a south shore beach at low tide. You can say what you
want about muddy south shore beaches lacking the world class white-sandy
glamour of the north shore (where we live) but our daughters are still
talking about the fish, crabs, barnacles and snails that shared their
afternoon adventure. Not bad for September 8th... We had only planned
on making a sand castle, hanging out for a while and then leaving. It
was much more fun than that.
That night the adventures continued. The girls and I finally managed to
spend a night camping in our yard. We made several discoveries that
night. First, there's a surprising amount of traffic on our road after
10PM. Second, despite its many imperfections and weeds, our lawn makes
a reasonably comfortable mattress, at least through the tent bottom.
And third, adventurous fun can be had 20 feet from our house. Happily
both girls and I made it through the night safe and warm.
B.
Thursday, September 06, 2007
Action Girl's First Day of Grade One
The page has turned. Action Girl had her first day of school today! The day really started the night before when Action Girl and her mom made her lunch. Action Girl was excited but managed to get to asleep without much fuss.
FIRST DAY OF GRADE ONE
06:30ish all family members accounted for, some even up.
07:00 Breakfast
07:25 Goodbyes and hugs for Mom
07:43 Leave house
07:43 Come back to house for camera
07:44 Come back to house for sneakers (crocs are dirty- in the end she wears them anyway.)
07:45 Leave!
07:55 Arrive at Daycare. Talk to teachers everyone wishes Action Girl well- hugs and goodbyes for/from Super Girl
08:00 Arrive at school
08:01 Wait
08:02 Wait
08:05 Visit after school club (Action Girl isn’t going in the mornings but we wanted her to see it first).
08:10 Waiting again. We decide to listen to a Bob Marley in the car for a while.
08:15 More Bob
08:20 Leave car for Action Girl to see a grade two friend in the parking lot.
08:25 More Bob and chatting in the car
08:40 Leave car, chat with other parents and kids. Worry. Action Girl gets quieter.
08:45 Go into school. World does not end. We find her classroom. No tears. Action Girl goes to school.
All kidding aside, Action Girl had a great attitude and seemed to get off to a great start. The school was very welcoming. No, I did not cry either. She can’t wait for tomorrow and neither can I.
FIRST DAY OF GRADE ONE
06:30ish all family members accounted for, some even up.
07:00 Breakfast
07:25 Goodbyes and hugs for Mom
07:43 Leave house
07:43 Come back to house for camera
07:44 Come back to house for sneakers (crocs are dirty- in the end she wears them anyway.)
07:45 Leave!
07:55 Arrive at Daycare. Talk to teachers everyone wishes Action Girl well- hugs and goodbyes for/from Super Girl
08:00 Arrive at school
08:01 Wait
08:02 Wait
08:05 Visit after school club (Action Girl isn’t going in the mornings but we wanted her to see it first).
08:10 Waiting again. We decide to listen to a Bob Marley in the car for a while.
08:15 More Bob
08:20 Leave car for Action Girl to see a grade two friend in the parking lot.
08:25 More Bob and chatting in the car
08:40 Leave car, chat with other parents and kids. Worry. Action Girl gets quieter.
08:45 Go into school. World does not end. We find her classroom. No tears. Action Girl goes to school.
All kidding aside, Action Girl had a great attitude and seemed to get off to a great start. The school was very welcoming. No, I did not cry either. She can’t wait for tomorrow and neither can I.
Wednesday, September 05, 2007
Our Day Trip to Pictou
DSC03199
On August 30th, my parents and I took the girls "across" on the ferry to Pictou, Nova Scotia. It was their first time on a boat/ship of any size. The above posts are some pictures from that great day.
B.
Grade One: One More Sleep!
Twelve hours from now, Action Girl will be on first real school-girl
recess. She will be in grade one! How is this possible?
recess. She will be in grade one! How is this possible?
The good:
She is very keen, even psyched!
She is well-prepared academically.
She knows a number of kids in her class/grade.
Her teacher has a really good reputation.
She has the coolest backpack in the universe.
The not-so-good:
The world is scary.
Our daughter is young.
We have no control once she's there.
This, like the world, is scary!
News, reviews, and pics to follow!
B.
Tuesday, September 04, 2007
Your Reply Needed
This is possibly the best spam e-mail I have ever recieved. Its arrival in my inbox today brightened my afternoon. If only things were this easy:
________________________________________
________________________________________
Greetings,
I am a Civil Staff working under United States Marine Corps
operating with the Engineering military Dept unit in Baghdad, Iraq, we
discover about $65 Million US dollars that we want to move out but we
need a good partner we can trust. This fund is oil money and legal.
Click on the link bellow for more information
http://news.bbc.co.
uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm
We will be moving these funds out of
Iraq through the assistance of UN diplomatic officer. But the question
is can we trust you when the funds get to you? You will take your 30%
for the assistance and keep the remaining for us in a safe custody.
Your role is to find a safe place for the funds while our own part is
sending it to you.
Your Reply Needed
Michael Joseph
________________________________________
I am a Civil Staff working under United States Marine Corps
operating with the Engineering military Dept unit in Baghdad, Iraq, we
discover about $65 Million US dollars that we want to move out but we
need a good partner we can trust. This fund is oil money and legal.
Click on the link bellow for more information
http://news.bbc.co.
uk/2/hi/middle_east/2988455.stm
We will be moving these funds out of
Iraq through the assistance of UN diplomatic officer. But the question
is can we trust you when the funds get to you? You will take your 30%
for the assistance and keep the remaining for us in a safe custody.
Your role is to find a safe place for the funds while our own part is
sending it to you.
Your Reply Needed
Michael Joseph
________________________________________
Wednesday, August 15, 2007
Ontario Trip Pictures Part 1
Giraffes Toronto Zoo DSC02359
I've added some pictures from our trip to my Flickr account.
You can find it at:
http://www.flickr.com/photos/binkygetsby/sets/72157601464360992/
B.
Tuesday, August 14, 2007
Ontario Trip Re-Cap
A week ago today we returned from seven days spent in Toronto and Niagara Falls. We had a great time and were glad to come home for a rest. In Toronto, we spent some of our time visiting with my Aunt L. and seeing the sights. She lives in an amazing condo high-rise in Etobicoke. In Niagara Falls, we had a visit with my cousin in their beautiful home in the residential part of the city. Yes, there is one- you just have to know where to find it.
Here are some more highlights.
Toronto:
- Ontario Place. It was 35 degrees but after a while you don't notice the heat that much as there's so much to do, especially for kids.
- The Toronto Zoo. Tigers, giraffes, and elephants, Oh My! The water park is really cool as well.
- The Ontario Science Centre. It holds up. I wasn't much older than Action Girl (age 6.5) when I first went there.
- The CN Tower. A much bigger hit with the kids than I'd expected.
- The Eaton Centre. When you have really well-behaved kids, shopping is not too much of a problem.
- Hanging out around the lake on really great walking trails.
- Pool time.
- More authentic Chinese food that we get at home. Mmmmm... General Tao is better for chicken than Col. Saunders (that's whey he out-ranks him, too).
Niagara Falls:
- The new ferris wheel close to the falls. My cousin, B. took us- very cool and kid-friendly.
- Outlet Mall time. I am beginning to realize that the 3-to-1 gender imbalance in our family will contribute to this being a regular feature of future vacations.
- Marine Land. Ethical issues about marine mammal domestification aside, what a great place. Definitely the best kids' rides we have ever seen/enjoyed.
Some Challenges:
- We're used to it, but traveling with small kids can be a challenge. You need to slow down and be more flexible. We're used to it but still working on it.
- I am so far unable to plan properly to get to the airport, any airport at the time we should be there. I have yet to cause my family to miss a flight, though. I need to work on this.
A good time was had by all.
Pictures to follow!
B.
(Please excuse the disclaimer tag on the bottom of the message- I am writing this on my break at work.)
Thursday, August 09, 2007
Happy Anniversary to Us
Before I start a post about our trip to
It’s been quite a journey and promises to go a whole lot further. We even managed to pick up a couple of passengers along the way. Thank you, my love, for such a great life together!
B.
Tuesday, July 24, 2007
Firefox Pitch!
Well, this may not be the most literate post I've ever made, but I have exciting news: the latest version of the Firefox browser (2.0.0.4) includes a built-in spell checker!
My posts will no longer be the mess that they have been in the past! Consider downloading it today.
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/
B.
My posts will no longer be the mess that they have been in the past! Consider downloading it today.
http://www.mozilla.com/en-US/firefox/
B.
Thursday, July 19, 2007
Soccer Night #7: Lions and Tigers and Goals, Oh My... (July 17, 2007)
Wow- that's all I have to say- wow... Two saves, two balls that got past her in the net, and two goals!
What a great night... My parents were able to come and watch Action Girl (age 6) play AND SCORE. Did I mention the goals? It was also a nice place for them to hang out with Super Girl (age 3.5). At one point, I had this "snapshot" of what Under Six Soccer can be all about. Late in the game, a younger (5?) player from Action Girl's team was lining up to take a shot on the other team's net. He almost scored- the most interesting part was that he did this with a large green leaf in his hand that he had obviously just picked up and wanted to keep (and probably take home). A-Girl is her team's usual starting goalie (most games)- when she does, she stays in for 10-20 minutes of the 30 minute game.
Most importantly, she's enjoying herself and feels she is a part of her team. One difference I've noticed from last year is that she is much more supportive of her team mates' play. To illustrate: last year if she was in the net for practice and one her team mates scored, she could be frustrated that she hadn't stopped the shot. This year, she says things like "way to go" or "great goal" to them.
Also, our neighbour "A." had a great night, staying up with his older team mates and learning even more about the game.
Pictures to follow,
B.